Pakistan vs Australia Preview: Australia Step Into Unknown For 1st Test In Pakistan Since 1998

Australia take on Pakistan in the first Test of the three-match series from Fiday and the series opener will be played in Rawalpindi. All Pakistan vs Australia Test series will now be called the Benaud-Qadir series, named after legendary Australia all-rounder Richie Benaud and Pakistani leg-spin great Abdul Qadir. Ashes-winning Australia will face unfamiliar conditions, heavy security and unpredictable, but talented, opponents when they begin their first Test in Pakistan for 24 years on Friday. Having landed in Islamabad just three days ago to be immediately engulfed in "head of state-level security", the Australians have had little time to acclimatise to conditions in Rawalpindi, where the first Test will be played. But they may like what they see as they practise, with a pitch often more conducive to seam bowling than the more typical spinners' wickets more usually found across Pakistan.

In three Tests played in Rawalpindi since Pakistan were allowed to host matches again in 2019, 10 years on from the fatal terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore, fast bowlers have snapped up 52 wickets with spinners only bagging 21.

A post shared by Cricket Australia (@cricketaustralia)

Australia captain Pat Cummins, fresh from leading his side to a 4-0 Ashes drubbing of England in his first series in charge, admitted it would be all new to his players.

"You know most international players -- and conditions -- but this series comes with a few more unknowns than perhaps normally, so it's going to be interesting and challenging," said Cummins.

"I have a big belief in making sure our own game is in order. We must think that we are in great form since the Ashes and look at that, rather than on the opposition."

The Australian