‘I feel really safe in Pakistan,’ says Pat Cummins.

Pat Cummins says he feels “quite safe” in Pakistan after arriving on Sunday for Australia’s first tour of the country in 24 years. For the first time in an international Test match, Cummins will captain Australia against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Friday. The Test is the first of three, with three ODIs and a T20I to follow.

Cummins, who will captain a strong Australia side coming off a successful Ashes campaign, said Cricket Australia’s delegation assuaged the players’ fears by assuring that all safety criteria were completed.

In Cummins’ words, “the Pakistan Cricket Board has taken excellent care of us, and I am in great shape.” When we arrived, there was a lot of security. We walked directly from the airport to the hotel.

Our routine has become accustomed to staying in hotels after visiting places like India, where you don’t leave very much. I appreciate having so many professionals at our disposal.

“Not only did we want to be sure of security before coming here, but we also wanted to be sure of bio-security.” Everyone has done an excellent job, so all we have to do now is concentrate on cricket and enjoy our first return to this venue in 24 years.

Australia’s players must be isolated for 24 hours after their arrival but can return to training on Monday if they do not test positive for COVID-19.

Cummins said he felt honoured to play a Test series in Pakistan since so many Australian greats had not gotten the opportunity.

“We are lucky to have the opportunity to be here,” Cummins says, despite ruling out generations of cricketers. I believe that the amount of cricket played in Pakistan has constantly increased. George Bailey, our selector, came to visit a few years back and played a few games.

It was also a great success to see the Pakistan Super League. We’re grateful that they’ve come to Australia to play us, and we’re happy to be able to reciprocate.

Fawad Ahmed, a Pakistan-born Australian international, has joined Cummins’ team as a spin bowling consultant. He has been a member of the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League.

Cummins said that Fawad Ahmed has a great deal of experience here; he is familiar with all the venues, and he is also a lot of fun.