Australian cricketer Ashton Agar received death threat on his wife's social media handles just before his team's historic tour to Pakistan kickstarts. The Australians are set to play 3 Test matches, 3 ODIs, and 1 T20I against Pakistan. This is the first time Australia are touring Pakistan in 24 years.
Earlier this week, the Australian cricket team arrived in Pakistan for the first time in 24 years having not played a series in the Asian country since 1998. With Pakistan looking to bring international cricket back to the country on a regular basis, this is a monumental occasion for the Pakistan cricket board (PCB).
However, just days before the first Test of the series, the tour has hit a big blow as Australian cricketer Ashton Agar has been subject of a death threat. It is believed that the threat was made on Ashton's partner Madeleine's social media handle. According to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald, a part of the message read, “Your children will miss their Father if he comes to Pakistan. Our snipers will blow his head."
A statement by Cricket Australia (CA) acknowledged the threat and claimed the message is not seen as a risk by the relevant authorities. “Cricket Australia is aware of a social media post, of which the nature and content has been investigated by the PCB, CA and combined government security agencies
“There are extensive security plans in place for this type of social media activity, which, in this case, is not considered a risk. No further comment will be made at this time," said CA in a joint statement with PCB.
The first Test of the series will kickstart on March 4 at Rawalpindi. The teams will play each other in a three-match Test series with Karachi and Lahore set to host the second and third Test. Both sides will play three ODIs and one T20I after the red-ball series.
Last year, New Zealand had pulled out of a limited-overs tour to Pakistan just minutes before the first ODI was set to begin. Later, England also cancelled their scheduled T20I series against Pakistan.
Australia arrived in Pakistan on Sunday for a full tour comprising three Tests, three ODIs and one T20. This is Australia's first trip to Pakistan since 1998.
On touching down in Islamabad, Australia captain Pat Cummins had said, "I feel incredibly safe and we've been really well looked after by the Pakistan Cricket Board. There's been lots of security upon arrival. We were straight off the plane and straight to the hotel.
"We've got a pretty good set-up and we'll be confined to the hotel except for games and training... It's comforting and we're really lucky to be surrounded by so many professionals."
The first Test begins on March 4 in Rawalpindi.
The cricket aside, it is an important series for Pakistan who had to host their home series at neutral venues for several years following a terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March 2009. Since 2015 international cricket has slowly but steadily begun to return to the country although there have only been three Test tours so far, and an incident-free visit by Australia could go a long way in changing this.
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