'Australia boasts good batters, but we are no less' - Sarfaraz Ahmed draws battle lines ahead of Australia-Pakistan series

Experienced wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed heaped praise on his Pakistan teammates and assured that the players are ready for the stern challenge that awaits them during their three-match away Test series against Australia.

Before the Test matches begin, Pakistan will face Prime Ministers XI at the Manuka Oval in Canberra in a four-day warm-up clash. The match begins on Wednesday, December 6. Sarfaraz remembered watching Chris Gayle score a spectacular double century against Zimbabwe at the venue during the 2015 ODI World Cup. The former Pakistan captain is in no mood to take the warm-up game lightly.

"I remember watching Chris Gayle's incredible innings of 200 runs against Zimbabwe at Manuka Oval. Now, as we brace ourselves for a four-day clash in Canberra against Australia, the weather seems to be good. This match holds an immense significance as it kickstarts the three-match test series against the formidable Australian team," Sarfaraz told Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a recent interview.

The 36-year-old admitted that Australia have a strong batting lineup but he rated the likes of Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq and Co. equally high.

"Australia boasts good batters, but we are no less. With Abdullah, Babar, Imam, Saud, and Agha in our ranks, we are well-equipped for the challenge," he said.

Sarfaraz heaped praise on veteran pacers like Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali and also mentioned that the less-experienced guys like Mir Hamza, Khurram Shehzad, and Fahim Ashraf have done well in the domestic circuit.

"Shaheen and Hasan are exceptional, and we have the likes of Mir Hamza, Khurram Shehzad, and Fahim, who have proven their mettle in domestic competitions," Sarfaraz said.

The camaraderie between Babar, Hafeez, and Masood is a testament to the strong bond within our camp: Sarfaraz Ahmed

After a disappointing ODI World Cup 2023 campaign, Pakistan decided to start afresh by making wholesale changes to its think tank. Shan Masood replaced Babar as the Test captain while Mohammad Hafeez was appointed as team director-cum-head coach. Sarfaraz congratulated the new captain and said the southpaw shares a great relationship with Babar and Hafeez.

"It's always an honor to lead your country, and I want to congratulate Shan Masood for his role. The camaraderie between Babar Azam, Muhammad Hafeez, and Shan Masood is a testament to the strong bond within our camp," he said.

Sarfaraz will have to compete with Mohammad Rizwan for the role of the wicketkeeper-batter in the playing XI. He said he is ready to play in the team even as a specialist batter.

"I am happy to play any role – whether as a batter or a wicket-keeper – in contributing to the success of the team," he concluded.

The first Test will take place in Perth Stadium beginning on Thursday, December 14. It will be Pakistan's first Test appearance at the venue.