Pakistan aspiring to create history during Australia tour, says Bazid Khan

Karachi: Pakistan cricket analyst and commentator Bazid Khan believes his country stand a great chance of creating history during their upcoming tour of Australia by becoming the first Asian side to seal a Test series win there.

The former Test batsman observed that the Steve Smith-led side`s recent struggles in the ongoing series against South Africa would boost Pakistan`s confidence and give them high hopes of winning the Test series for the first time on Australian soil.

"The way Australia have capitulated in two Tests [to lose the series] hasn`t come as a surprise to me. They had been in turmoil long before that when Sri Lanka humiliated them to complete a historic 3-0 sweep. The way Australian batsmen, in particular, have been performing should boost Pakistan`s confidence when they head there after the New Zealand series," Bazid was quoted, as saying by the Dawn.

Referring to the Steve Smith-led side`s fifth succesive defeat in Hobart, Bazid said that he did not remember Pakistan ever travelling to Australia when the home side is in complete disarray.

"One could sense the sombre mood in the Aussie camp at this point. This is totally unlike Australia we had been accustomed to during all our previous tours to that country," he observed.

Although the 35-year-old admitted that playing a day-night Test in the series opener would be a challenging job for both teams, he is hopeful that performing under lights might work out in the favour of the Pakistan fast bowlers.

"Playing under lights in the series opener at the Gabba will be challenge for both teams, no doubt. But it may even work in Pakistan`s favour because under lights the ball does seam around and may help our fast bowlers.

"On the other hand, Australia`s bowling apart from Mitchell Starc, and to some extent Josh Hazlewood, has been found wanting as we have all seen in the South Africa series.

Pakistan are currently playing a two-match Test series against New Zealand. They will then head to Australia for three Tests beginning on December 15 at the Gabba in Brisbane.

Meanwhile, Australia have lost the ongoing three-match Test series against South Africa 2-0 with one game to spare following their humiliating defeat by an innings and 80 runs in the second match in Hobart.