Australia is all set to tour Pakistan for the first time after 24 years for a bilateral series, and former Pakistan spinner and current head coach, Saqlain Mushtaq thanked the Australians for making the historic tour a reality.
The Australian team will arrive in Pakistan on February 27 and play three Test matches, three ODIs, and a one-off T20I, with the much-awaited bilateral series getting underway with a Test match on March 4 in Rawalpindi.
Mushtaq told reporters: “I want to thank Australia too that they are coming to Pakistan after 24 years. I am sure players and fans are also excited that they are going to witness a very good series.”
The head coach added, “The whole of Pakistan is with cricket and everyone wants the teams to come and play here. We welcome the whole world with open hearts.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan players started a training camp in Karachi under the supervision of Mushtaq and batting coach Mohammad Yousuf for the upcoming Test series against Australia. The ongoing camp will be shifted to Rawalpindi later this month.
Since Australia is the number one ranked Test team in the world at the moment, Mushtaq admitted that Pakistan will face a difficult challenge even at home, but he anticipates an entertaining Test series.
He signed off by saying, “They play tough cricket. Wherever they go, they go with full preparation and obviously, we have to play tough cricket against them ... they had a really good series against England, but they are coming to our territory and we will give our best.”
Led by Pat Cummins, Australia is at no. 2 in the ICC World Test Championship points table behind Sri Lanka while Pakistan occupies the no. 3 spot.
(With AP Inputs)
