The UAE will play Australia in a first-ever T20 International next week, the Emirates Cricket Board confirmed on Wednesday.

The two sides will meet at the Oval grounds of Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Monday, October 22, with the tourists using the fixture as preparation for their T20 series against Pakistan.

It will be the first time the UAE will play the Baggy Greens in an official match after the tour game was given full international status by the ICC.

The UAE are ranked 13th in the world T20I standings and Zayed Abbas, ECB chief selector said: “We are delighted to be in a position to announce this fixture and we are extremely grateful to the ICC for their support in accrediting the Abu Dhabi Oval for T20 international at such short notice.

“Our thanks also goes out to Cricket Australia for approaching this opportunity so positively, and especially to the Pakistan Cricket Board for permitting this match during their home tour in the UAE with Australia. It has been an incredible effort from all parties to bring this match to fruition.”

Waleed Bukhatir, chief selector of ECB, added the match will be a great test for the national team against a top quality team.

“This match will provide an exceptionally good test for our players,” he said. “We need them to be put under pressure and for them to focus more intently by being challenged by higher ranked teams.

“To do so it is vitally important for the Full member countries, and the ICC to support and provide the Associates with such opportunities. We are extremely thankful to the ICC, Cricket Australia and the Pakistan Cricket Board for supporting this match.”