Australia and Pakistan will contest a three match one-day international series in June, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) has announced. The series will feature day-night matches at the Colonial Stadium in Melbourne on June 12 and June 15, followed by a third match at the Gabba in Brisbane on June 19. To be called Super Challenge II, it follows the first such series in August 2000, when Australia faced South Africa in the first official international matches to be played indoors.

The series two years ago attracted almost 100,000 fans, and ACB chief executive James Sutherland said that had indicated there was a demand for live cricket in Australia during the off-season. "This series allows us to give more people the chance to see their team play," he said. "It ensures that the team is able to continue its build-up for the 2003 World Cup.

"Colonial Stadium is a proven venue for international cricket," he added, "and the dry climate of Queensland in June will allow us to showcase the game at the Gabba."

Brigadier Munawar Ahmed Rana, director of the Pakistan Cricket Board, welcomed the announcement. "We have the Sharjah Cup against tough opposition in Sri Lanka and New Zealand this month, which should see us ideally placed for the three matches against Australia in June," he said. "Taking on Australia is not only important to our preparation for the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, but it is also a great challenge, as Australia has defeated our team in some important fixtures in recent times."

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