Australian players are feeling “incredibly safe” in Pakistan for their first tour in 24 years and expecting to bring out their aggressive brand of cricket, says the Test captain Pat Cummins on Sunday after reaching Islamabad.
Top cricket teams have isolated Pakistan after the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore back in Lahore in 2009 and heavy security has been allotted around the Australian cricket team for their six-week-long tour in Pakistan, with the first Test starting from Rawalpindi on March 4.
Australian players are feeling “incredibly safe” in Pakistan for their first tour in 24 years and expecting to bring out their aggressive brand of cricket, says the Test captain Pat Cummins on Sunday after reaching Islamabad.
“I feel incredibly safe,”
Cummins, on his first overseas tour since taking over the Test captaincy, told a virtual news conference.
“We’ve been really well looked after by the PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board).
“Upon arrival, there’s been lots of security. We were straight off the plane and straight to the hotel.
“We’ve got a pretty good set-up here and we’ll be confined to the hotel except for games and training.”
The 28-year-old skipper ruled out any distraction among his teammates and they are focused on the tour comprised of three Test matches, an equal number of ODIs, and a single T20I.
“It’s comforting and we’re really lucky to be surrounded by so many professionals,”
Cummins said.
“There are lots of things around which might be a little bit different to what we’re used to but we know it’s been taken care of so we can just really enjoy ourselves here …
“Pakistan is an incredible cricket nation. We feel lucky to get to come back here after a whole generation didn’t get the chance to play any cricket over here.”
Cummins have just come back from Australia’s 4-1 Ashes romp against England in the summer, which was his first series in charge and the pacer was confident they could continue their aggressive cricket against Babar Azam’s side.
“I really hope so. I was really proud of how we performed throughout the Ashes summer back home in Australia, and now that’s the challenge to continue that and be just as relentless on an overseas tour.”
The tourists have roped in Pakistani-born former Australian international Fawad Ahmed as a spin bowling consultant to get their spinners someone for advice.
“He’s got a wealth of experience here and he knows the venues quite well and he’s always great fun for the group,”
Cummins said.