ISLAMABAD   -   Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday welcomed the Australian cricket team to Pakistan, which arrived here for a bilateral series after a hiatus of 24 years. On Twitter, the prime minister said Pakistan’s cricket lovers always had great respect and admiration for Australian cricket. “We are all looking forward to a highly competitive & interesting series. Good luck to both teams,” he tweeted. The Australian cricket team arrived in Islamabad on 27th February, 24 years after it last played in Pakistan in 1998. Australia will play three Tests, three One-Day Internationals, and one Twenty20 match. On Friday, the first Test of the three-match series got underway in Rawalpindi when Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bat. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday expressed grief over the passing away of Australia’s legendary wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh. The prime minister, in a post on social media platform Twitter, said, “Saddened to learn of the passing of Rodney Marsh who was Australia's legendary wicket keeper.

During my cricketing career I remember him being not just a great cricketer but one who was respected by both his own team and his opponents.”