Nathan Lyon targets 3-0 Test series sweep against Pakistan

Australia are in Pakistan for what will be a historic Test series - their first visit in 24 years - but there will be no room for sentiment once play begins in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon said that while he was proud to be involved in his team's first tour of the country in nearly a quarter of a century, he was aiming for a 3-0 Test sweep.

Pat Cummins' team are the form side after their 4-0 Ashes series victory over England earlier this year, but will face vastly different conditions in the south Asian nation. Even so, the target remains the same for Lyon.

"My mindset is every game we go into, we will look to win, not draw or lose. My mindset is to win 3-0 in Pakistan," Lyon was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Pakistan have struggled to attract touring sides since the attack on Sri Lanka team's bus in 2009.

Having been forced to play their home games mostly in the UAE for a decade, Pakistan hope the Australians' stay will be without incident as it tries to reassure the international community it can guarantee safety.

Both New Zealand and England were scheduled to tour last year. However, the Black Caps pulled out of their tour in September just minutes before their first match was due to start, citing security fears, and England postponed tours by both their men's and women's teams soon after.

This time, Pakistan are leaving no stone unturned to ensure safety of the players with nearly 4,000 police and military personnel guarding the team hotel in Islamabad and the nearby Rawalpindi Stadium. The significance of the series is not lost on Lyon.

"Pakistan haven't had the opportunity to have a lot of international cricket here over a number of years so to be able to be the first Australian team to come here