INTERNATIONAL cricket is heading back to Far North Queensland with Australia to take on Pakistan in a tour game in December.

In a huge coup for the region, Cairns will host its first International match in over a decade with the fixture scheduled for December 8-10.

Cazalys Stadium proved its credentials as an international cricket venue when it hosted a Test against Bangladesh in 2003 and against Sri Lanka in 2004. The venue also holds a regular AFL fixture each season with great success.

Cricket Australia Head of Operations Sean Cary said Cairns was an ideal venue to host cricket.

“The lighting at Cazalys is very good and the overall playing conditions are first class,’’ he said.

“The pitch has had a very good reputation and we are confident it will provide a competitive environment.”

The deal, brokered between Cricket Australia, Cricket Far North, Cairns Regional Council and AFL Cairns, will see the match played under lights with pink balls for the first time in the Far North. Tickets on sale now.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the region was buzzing with the news the Australian team would return to Cazalys Stadium after a long exodus.

“Bringing elite cricket back to Cairns is key for both our local grass-roots cricket community and our local economy,” he said.

“I encourage everyone to get their tickets to witness not only the first ‘pink ball’ match played in Cairns, but also the impressive Pakistan team who recently claimed the number one spot in the test rankings.”

“We’re always happy to work in partnership with Cricket Australia and look forward to many more cricket games and fans visiting our city,” Mayor Manning said.

Talks are also ongoing to try and bring Test match cricket back to Cairns, with stakeholders hoping to secure a 2018 fixture between Australia and Bangladesh.