Follow UsWith the three-match Test series between Pakistan and Australia around the corner, pacer Shaheen Afridi says his side is up for the challenge and is hopeful that they can also ruin David Warner's farewell series.
"We would wish him good luck but not hoping for a good end for David Warner in his last Test series against us," Afridi told reporters in Canberra, ahead of Pakistan's warm-up match against Prime Ministers XI.
"This is an important series for Pakistan as we are leading the World Test Championship's point table at the moment," Shaheen added.
Australia announced their 14-member squad for the first Test in Perth earlier today, which includes a call-up for fast bowler Lance Morris. However, Afridi is unfazed by Australia's team selection, given that his side has faced a majority of them.
"We have played against the recently announced Australia's 14-member squad, and we are all up for this challenge," he said.
"We don't have much experience of Canberra, but I am sure this four-day match against PM XI will help us prepare well for the series against the home team starting from Perth," he explained.
Australia opening batter Usman Khawaja also believes that Mitchell Starc and Afridi will be tough to contend with given their ability to swing the ball in the early stages of the day.
"I think Shaheen Shah and Mitchell Starc both are very fast bowlers, and both can bowl up to 145. We know Starc can swing the new ball. Shaheen has a very good wrist. He definitely swings the ball. When it's overcast in Australian conditions, if a fast bowler is swinging the ball, it makes our job as an opener a bit tough. This is what you rebel for, this is what you play for," Khawaja said.
But Khawaja also believes his side has the resources to deal with the Pakistan attack. in fact, he pitted Babar Azam and Steven Smith among the greatest players ever.
"Babar Azam is one of the best batsmen in all three formats. Steve Smith is the greatest batsman of our era. When they both will be playing here in the Benaud-Qadir series, it would be exciting. Matching Babar with Smith is almost like matching Smith with Kohli," the southpaw said.
The three-match Test series kicks off on December 14 in Perth. The action then shifts to Melbourne for the second Test before reaching its conclusion in Sydney.