Australia, Pakistan ready for historic Rawalpindi Test

Australian captain Pat Cummins bowls during a net practice session at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

The two teams set to play their first Test on Pakistan soil in almost 24 years Australia’s first Test in Pakistan in 24 years starting today is threatened by rain, but even storm clouds failed to dampen the mood of rival captains Pat Cummins and Babar Azam on the eve of the match. Rain forced both teams to cancel their practice sessions yesterday, but the forecast is clear for today and most of tomorrow, with showers likely on the last three days of play. Despite the weather, Cummins and Azam were geared up for the historic Test – to be played in front of a sell-out 16,000 crowd in Rawalpindi, the garrison city just south of the capital, Islamabad. Australia haven’t toured Pakistan since 1998 as security issues kept international teams from visiting, and as a result are unfamiliar with the local pitches. “It looks like a good wicket... as expected,” Cummins told reporters on the eve of the match. He said Australia would probably go into the Test with three quick bowlers or two spinners. Veteran Nathan Lyon remains Australia’s frontline spinner for their first your of Pakistan in 24 years. “We just want to have another look at the wicket,” he said. “We have got a fair idea of what we want to do but don’t want to make the call too early without fully knowing what the wicket is.” It would be a toss-up between uncapped leggie Mitchell Swepson and left-arm spinner Ashton Agar should Australia pick a second slow bowler for the soldout contest.  “I think that they’re both great options,” Cummins said.  “Swepo is a leg-spinner, it’s a real luxury to have. He’s been bowling fantastically (in domestic cricket), he’s ready to go. Agar has been fantastic whenever he’s played for Australia. I think he’s really grown as a bowler in the last couple years as well.  “So either of those two are absolutely ready for test cricket if they get a chance.” The Aussie skipper refused to accept that Pakistan would be fielding a depleted side as a result of injuries to star fast bowler Hasan Ali and all-rounder Faheem Ashra. “It’s a loss for the Pakistan side, but there’s always another guy that can step up,” he said. But he played down being tagged as “favourites” after their comprehensive 4-0 drubbing of England in the Ashes series that ended in January. “To be honest it doesn’t really mean much,” he said. “We feel lucky that we’ve got a strong squad coming off some really good performances, but... it’s unfamiliar conditions, so we’ll see.”  Pakistan skipper Azam, however, said the side would definitely miss the pair – 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 disturbed our combination,” said Azam, whose team is likely to include teenage fast-bowler Naseem Shah. Naseem took a hat-trick against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi stadium two years ago. “Still, we have Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shah who both are bowling well and Fawad Alam and Rizwan in good batting form,” said Azam. The hosts are also likely to include two spinners in Nauman Ali and Sajid Khan, with all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed a supporting act. Azam said the Aussies were strong and experienced, but was confident of a good showing from the home side. “We will not take them easy, but we have planned against them and you will see good cricket,” he said. The second Test is in Karachi from March 12 while the third match is in Lahore starting on March 21. Australia and Pakistan will also play three one-day internationals and one Twenty20.Squads Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Imam-ul-Haq, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr. Australia: Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Mark Steketee, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.