Pakistan are set for a gruelling seven months of non-stop touring, beginning with Monday's Morocco Cup opener against South Africa, after Australia confirmed that they would not be touring the country in September. Monday's match at Tangiers' new stadium is the first of 31 one-day internationals that Pakistan could play between now and the end of the World Cup in March. In addition they will play seven Test matches, against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, and depending on where the Australia series takes place, they could visit as many as seven different countries.

"We've got used to living out of suitcases, but we can't help it," said Mudassar Nazar, Pakistan's coach. "Teams don't want to come to Pakistan, so we go to them. It's better than depriving the players of cricket which earns them their livelihood."

In the past year, India, Australia and West Indies have cancelled scheduled tours of Pakistan, while in May, New Zealand abandoned their tour on the morning of the second Test in Karachi, when a car bomb exploded outside the team hotel.

So Pakistan have no option but to hit the road. Shortly after the completion of the Morocco Cup, Pakistan travel to Nairobi to take on Australia and Kenya in another one-day tournament, from August 29 to September 7.

From Nairobi, they travel to Sri Lanka for the ICC Champions Trophy (September 12 to 29), before donning their whites for that Test series against Australia. Bangladesh, Sharjah and Sri Lanka have all been earmarked as possible hosts.

"I can understand Australia's reluctance to tour," said Waqar Younis, Pakistan's captain. "There has been trouble in our country and although ideally we would have liked to play them at home, we have no problem if a neutral venue is found. Pakistan and Australia are the two best teams in the world. It will be interesting cricket wherever the Tests are played."

Waqar's first priority, however, was to prepare for the Morocco Cup clash against South Africa. He will be without Shoaib Akhtar, who was instrumental in Pakistan's recent 2-1 victory over Australia.

"South Africa may have lost to Australia in April and Sri Lanka played poorly in England, but you can't underestimate these teams ever ... especially in one-day cricket," he said. "It's going to be an exciting tournament between three good sides. You can't afford to blink out there in the middle."

South Africa, clearly shaken by the home defeats against Australia in both the Test and one-day series, are determined to make a new start at Tangiers.

"The previous season ended in disappointment, but we have to forget that and look ahead," said Shaun Pollock. "A win here will kick-start our preparations for the World Cup. I am looking forward to playing here against two very competitive sides."

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd