PAK vs AUS: Australia 'Incredibly Safe' In Pakistan Despite Threat To Ashton Agar, Says Steve Smith

Australia Test vice-captain Steve Smith reiterated that the visitors are feeling absolutely safe in Pakistan as they arrived for a historic tour of the Asian country for the first time in 24 years. However, their arrival was marred when it was confirmed that spinner Ashton Agar received a death threat on social media.

It was actually Agar’s wife Madeleine who received a warning asking for Ashton to stay away from Pakistan and not tour else there was harm to his life. This was reported by both The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, which was communicated to Cricket Australia (CA) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), who began an investigation into the same.

A team spokesperson also confirmed Agar received a death threat. Agar was said to be in good spirits despite the direct message sent to his wife.

We Trust Our Security And We’re Feeling Incredibly Safe In Pakistan: Steve Smith   

However, PCB revealed that in their investigation, the threat was found to be not credible and not a risk. Even Cricket Australia said extensive security plans were in place for such social media activity and that the threat was “not considered a risk”.

Now Steve Smith has also said that the entire Australian contingent trusts the security cover they have been given by the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“We’re aware of social media and the unfortunate events that can occur on platforms. We’ve got a lot of people working here with us, we trust our security and we’re feeling incredibly safe in Pakistan,” he told reporters.

Smith said that he was relishing the challenge of playing in Pakistan. He also talked about returning to practice after suffering a concussion during the final T20I against Sri Lanka.

“It’s great to be back here and playing cricket. It’s the first time a lot of us have been here and we’re excited. We know how passionate Pakistanis are about cricket. It’s the first session back for me facing fast bowling. I’m recovering from the concussion and I’ve faced some side-arm and spinners.

The head has progressed really well the last few days. I’m feeling in a good space, done a lot of stuff where I’ve got my heart rate up to a good amount and brought it down … all part of the protocols of getting back to playing,” he signed off.

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