Pat Cummins is upbeat about the historic Pakistan Test.

Pat Cummins is upbeat about the historic Pakistan Test. Rain threatens Australia’s first Test in Pakistan in 24 years. Which begins on Friday, but even storm clouds failed to dampen the spirits of rival captains Pat Cummins and Babar Azam on the eve of the match.

Rain threatens Australia’s first Test in Pakistan in 24 years, which begins on Friday. But even storm clouds failed to dampen the spirits of rival captains Pat Cummins and Babar Azam on the eve of the match. Both teams were forced to cancel practice sessions on Thursday due to rain, but the forecast is clear for Friday and most of Saturday, with showers possible on the final three days of competition. Despite the weather, Cummins and Azam were preparing for the historic Test. Which would be played in front of a sell-out 16,000-strong crowd in Rawalpindi, a garrison city just south of Islamabad.

Australia hasn’t toured Pakistan since 1998 due to security concerns. As a result, they are unfamiliar with the local pitches.

“It appears to be a good wicket… as expected,” Cummins said to reporters on the eve of the game.

He predicted that Australia would field three quick bowlers or two spinners in the Test.

“We just want to look at the wicket again,” he explained.

The Australian captain refused to accept that Pakistan would field a depleted side due to injuries to star fast bowler Hasan Ali and all-rounder Faheem Ashra.

“It’s a setback for Pakistan, but there’s always another guy who can step up,” he said.

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Historic Pakistan Test “Unfamiliar conditions”

However, he played down their status as “favourites” following their 4-0 thrashing of England in the Ashes series, which concluded in January.

“To be honest, it doesn’t mean much,” he admitted.

“We’re fortunate to have a strong squad coming off some really good performances, but… it’s unfamiliar conditions, so we’ll see.”

Pakistan captain Azam, on the other hand, said the pair would be missed, particularly Hasan, who took 10 wickets in Pakistan’s win over South Africa in Rawalpindi last year.

“Hasan is a match-winner and Ashraf contributes in both batting and bowling, so that has disrupted our combination,” said Azam, whose team is likely to include teenage fast-bowler Naseem Shah.

Two years ago, Naseem scored a hat-trick against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Stadium.

“We still have Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shah bowling well, and Fawad Alam and Rizwan in good batting form,” Azam said.

The hosts are also expected to field two spinners, Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan, with all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed serving as a support act.

Azam stated that the Australians were strong and experienced, but he was confident in the home team’s performance.

“We will not take them lightly,” he said, “but we have prepared for them and you will see good cricket.”

The second Test begins on March 12 in Karachi, and the third match begins on March 21 in Lahore.

In addition, Australia and Pakistan will play three one-day internationals and one Twenty20 match.

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