Pakistan, after surrendering tamely in the limited-overs matches, will look to regain some semblance of control at their "home turf" when they take on Australia in the 1st Test in Dubai starting Wednesday.
Misbah-ul-Haq and his side were pretty poor against Australia in the T20 international, which the skipper was not a part of, and the ODIs, and Pakistan now face an even more difficult battle against Australia in the Test matches.
Without Saeed Ajmal and a few other experienced bowlers, Pakistan will head into the 1st Test with a raw bowling lineup. It just might work in their favour if the bowlers take the challenge in their stead and bowl without fear, with Australia unlikely to know too much about the likes of Mohammad Talha, Yasir Shah and Rahat Ali.
"This is part and parcel of the game," said Misbah when asked about the inexperienced bowling attack. "Whosoever comes on the international scene he starts inexperienced, but this is how the life is, you have to make your name and I think these players are good enough to make their names at international scene."
Misbah has been criticised for his form with the bat for Pakistan and the skipper will know it will be up to the experienced players in the side to stand up and be counted against the formidable Australia.
"Australians are always tough and if you are not putting your 100 percent and you are not playing good cricket it can be really difficult for you, so what you can assure is put your 100 percent and your performance should be right at the top to beat them," said Misbah.
"We have to convert the half chances into full to keep them on toes and it's very simple, especially in Test cricket you need to stick to your basics and to your strengths and that should be your strategy."
While sub-continent teams are usually considered to be the best at playing spinners, Pakistan did struggle against Rangana Herath in the series against Sri Lanka recently, and there is a good chance of Australia going into the 1st Test with two spinners, with Nathan Lyon likely to be joined in the side by left-armer Steven O'Keefe.
"It looks very similar to the one-day pitch, and that spun," said skipper Michael Clarke. "I imagine come day three, four and five spin is going to play a huge part.
"I'll wait for the selectors to see what they decide to go with. I would be thinking that those guys would be thinking two spinners."
Where to Watch Live
The 1st Test is scheduled for a 10 am local time (11.30 am IST, 11 am PST) start with live coverage on Ten Cricket and Ten HD in India. Viewers in India can also watch the match via live streaming online on Ten Sports Live.
PTV Sports will show the Test match live in Pakistan, while viewers can also choose the option to watch the match via free live streaming on PTV Sports Live Streaming. Audience in the UAE can catch the action on Ten Cricket UAE.
Australia viewers can watch the match on Fox Sports Australia, with the option to live stream also available via their online option. US viewers can catch the game on Willow TV or Willow TV Online.
