ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi said on Saturday he was waiting to take on Australia when the latter begin their first cricket tour to his country in March after a gap of 24 years.
Most international teams decided not to set a foot on Pakistan’s soil in recent years due to heightened security concerns after a terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricket players in 2009.
Australia last visited the country in 1998 when Afridi was not even born.
“A series against Australia is always a big one and performing against them gives you recognition as they have always been one of the top sides,” he said.
“I always looked forward to playing against them in the United Arab Emirates or Australia and now playing them at home will be a massive occasion indeed and I am determined to give my best,” he added.
Afridi was in top form last year, taking an impressive number of 47 wickets in nine Tests at an average of 17.06 with an innings best of 6 for 51. The International Cricket Council (ICC) declared him its Cricketer of the Year for 2021.
“Last year our bowling attack was the best in the world and our aim is to maintain the momentum,” he continued. “Hasan [Ali] and I always look to attack and take wickets. I am sure we will get great support from the crowd during the series as fans would be excited to see the Australian side play on our grounds.”
Afridi maintained it was always an advantage for a team to play in home conditions, adding he was counting on Pakistani fans to cheer the players from the stands.
“Home fans also provide an extra incentive to perform,” he added.
The Pakistani pacer is currently playing in HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 tournament where he is captaining Lahore Qalandars for the first time.
Australia will play three Tests, three one-day internationals (ODIs) and one Twenty-20 International (T20I) in its month-long series in Pakistan.
The tour will start and end in Rawalpindi with the opening Test to be played from March 4-8 and the four white-ball matches to be played from March 29 to April 5.
