Katich Back in Pakistan for Australia T20Is

News Desk 

Islamabad: Pakistan’s continued rise as a safe and attractive host for international cricket will be on full display this week as former Australia Test batter Simon Katich returns to the country for the three-match T20I series against Australia, starting Thursday at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Katich’s presence in the commentary box carries symbolic weight. The former opener last visited Pakistan in March 2022, when Australia toured the country for the first time in 24 years, a landmark series that marked Pakistan’s successful reintegration into the global cricket calendar.

The series will feature a strong commentary line-up, blending international and local expertise. Former Pakistan Test captains Aamir Sohail and Ramiz Raja will be joined by ex-Test batter Bazid Khan, while former Pakistan women’s captain Urooj Mumtaz adds further insight to the five-member panel.

Adding to the coverage, renowned broadcaster Zainab Abbas will front the PCB’s popular PitchSide Studio, offering in-depth analysis before and after each match as fans pack the historic Gaddafi Stadium. The second and third T20Is are scheduled for Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February, with all matches set to begin at 4pm PKT.

From a production standpoint, the Pakistan Cricket Board has invested heavily in high-end broadcast technology for the series. Coverage will feature 28 HD cameras, including a buggy cam, while Hawk-Eye and UltraEdge will be in operation as part of the DRS setup.

Viewers in Pakistan can watch the series live on PTV Sports, with digital streaming available via Tamasha, Tapmad and Myco. International audiences will be catered for through T Sports in Bangladesh, Willow in North America, Cricbuzz in the MENA region, SuperSport across Africa and Fox Sports in Australia.

Fans in the United Kingdom will also be able to stream the matches live on PCB Live.

With elite broadcast standards, a high-profile commentary team and a packed Lahore venue, the Australia T20I series is shaping up as another statement event for Pakistan cricket on and off the field.