Pakistan cricket team is currently in Australia for a three-match Test series, slated to get underway on December 14 in Perth.

Over the years, Pakistan have struggled badly on the tour Down Under. In fact, they have been whitewashed in each of their five previous Test series on Australian soil.

Despite the dismal record, Pakistan’s Director of cricket and head coach Mohammad Hafeez is confident of his team’s chances this time around.

Ahead of the first Test, Hafeez has said that they will give everything in the series and they are in Australia to win and not just compete.

“This Test team is very settled. They have done a great job for Pakistan cricket in this format. Everyone is excited to take on this challenge. That’s the most encouraging thing. And performing in Australia would be great for them. As a Pakistan team, we’re here to beat Australia, not just to compete,” Hafeez said while speaking to reporters.

In order to prepare for the Test series, the visitors played Prime Ministers XI in a four-day game in Canberra. While the warm-up fixture ended in a draw, Pakistani players got some important game time in the middle.

Talking about the preparations ahead of the first Test, Hafeez said: “As I said, as a team we believe we have great talent within the team and believe we can in Australia. Preparation-wise, we ticked most of the boxes. The players are really hungry to perform in Australia. They wanted to take that excitement coming with the challenge and win here. So that’s the most important thing. I am using only the words of the team, I received a message from the team, they want to beat Australia here this time.”

Melbourne will host the second Test of the series from December 26 to December 30 while the third and final Test will be played in Sydney from January 3 to January 7.