Pat Cummins: I feel incredibly safe in Pakistan

Australia are touring Pakistan for the first time since 1998, with the two sides set to contest three Tests, three ODIs and one T20I

Pat Cummins says he feels "incredibly safe" in Pakistan after arriving in the country for Australia’s multi-format tour.

Australia are playing in Pakistan for the first time since 1998 while the visit also marks their first overseas Test series since summer 2019.

New Zealand and England (men and women) were due to play Pakistan in Pakistan in 2021 before pulling out of their respective tours due to security concerns.

However, Cummins has praised the safety standards put in place by the Pakistan Cricket Board upon his side’s arrival.

"I feel incredibly safe and we’ve been really well looked after by the Pakistan Cricket Board," Cummins said. "There’s been lots of security upon arrival. We were straight off the plane and straight into the hotel.

^{Former Australia head coach Justin Langer during the second Test in Peshawar in 1998 [Ben Radford/Getty Images]}

"We've got a pretty good set-up and we'll be confined to the hotel except for games and training. We've travelled to places like India where you don't leave the hotel too much, so we are used to it. It's comforting and we're really lucky to be surrounded by so many professionals.

"One of the factors we wanted to be really thorough on before arriving here was not only security but also bio-security. Everyone has done a fantastic job, so we can just concentrate on cricket and really enjoy our first tour here for 24 years."

Discussing being part of the first Australian tour to Pakistan since 1998, he continued: "We feel lucky to get to come back here after a whole generation didn't get the chance to play any cricket over here.

“I think it [Pakistan] has slowly had more cricket here. George Bailey, our selector, came and played a couple of games a few years ago.

"The Pakistan Super League has also been hugely successful. We're fortunate that they have come to play us in Australia and it's great we can return the favour."

Australia are set to play three Test matches against Pakistan, beginning on March 4 in Rawalpindi, as well as three ODIs and one T20I.

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