Australia will play Pakistan in the UAE after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the schedule of the five-match ODI series on Sunday.

The PCB had held on to a brief glimmer of hope of Australia touring Pakistan for the first time in 20 years after positive initial discussions between the two cricketing boards.

However, that much anticipated tour will now have to wait longer with all the five clashes scheduled to take place in the UAE. The five-match ODI series will get underway at Sharjah on March 22 before drawing to a close at Dubai on March 31.

The timing of the series also throws up the interesting possibility of a potential Australia return for the banned duo of Steve Smith and David Warner.

The one-year bans handed out to the two players for their roles in the ball-tampering saga comes to an end on March 29. It is also the date of the fourth ODI between the two sides and it now remains to be seen if the pair is called up to the Australia squad for the final two ODIs.

“The PCB was optimistic that it will be able to convince Cricket Australia to send its side for some matches after successfully staging high-profile bilateral international series and the HBL Pakistan Super League matches in the past 18 months,” PCB international cricket director Zakir Khan said in a statement.

“But, we are disappointed for the enthusiastic and passionate cricket fans in Pakistan who will now have to wait for some more time before they can see the Australia cricket team live in action for the first time since 1998.

“However, the CA has confirmed that they will send their security expert to oversee the execution of security plans for the HBL PSL 2019 matches and bilateral series against other international sides in Pakistan, and will also speak with the ICC-recommended PCB security consultant. In the meantime, the CA have confirmed they will maintain regular contact with the ICC.”

All five ODI encounters between Pakistan and Australia will be day/night clashes.

PAKISTAN V AUSTRALIA ODI FIXTURES

March 22 – First ODI, Sharjah

March 24 – Second ODI, Sharjah

March 27 – Third ODI, Abu Dhabi

March 29 – Fourth ODI, Dubai

March 31 – Fifth ODI, Dubai