PAK vs AUS: Getting Accustomed To The Conditions In Pakistan Is Really Important: Steve Smith

Star Australia batsman Steve Smith said it will be important for them to adapt to the conditions in Pakistan where the current Australian players are playing for the first time.

Australia is scheduled to play three Tests, as many ODIs and a solitary T20I match in Pakistan with the tour starting on March 4.

Australia to play overseas Test series after two and a half years

Australia will come fresh in the Test series with a 4-0 Ashes triumphant against England at home. Smith, who is the vice-captain of the Test side, noted that the conditions will be different from what they have at home.

Smith has played a total of nine Tests against Pakistan- seven at home and twice in the United Arab Emirates- in his glittering red-ball career. Smith has scored 755 runs from 15 innings at an average of 53.93.

I feel like I am in a good place: Steve Smith

The 32-year-old faced a concussion in the second T20I against Sri Lanka last month and was subsequently ruled out of the remaining matches. The former Australian skipper said he hitting the balls well in the net session and will be ready to play for the first Test in Rawalpindi.

“It’s my first time playing here, so getting accustomed to the conditions is really important and having the ability to adapt to whatever we’re facing out in the middle. I feel like I am in a good place, I am hitting the ball nicely,” Smith was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald. 

“No concerns from me. I just go about my business, as usual, prepare really well, hopefully hit a number of balls the next few days and find a nice rhythm heading into the first Test. 

“I love getting on a roll and being able to play a lot of cricket. It’s been an odd couple of years really, this is our first away tour since the Ashes in 2019, which is hard to fathom,” he added.

The Australian team’s visit will end their 24 years of absence from playing in Pakistan as the last time the five-time World Cup winners toured the Asian nation was back in 1998.

Also Read: I Am Feeling In A Good Space: Steve Smith On His Concussion