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While Australian cricketers touched down Pakistan after 24 long years to play multi-format bilateral series, Test skipper Pat Cummins seems satisfied and comforted with tight security surrounding his team. The Australian team was greeted by high-level security comprising hundreds of armed police guarding the airport and the route to the team hotel in Islamabad. Usually, such protection is reserved for heads of the states.
While speaking on tight security provided to his team, Cummins said, "It's comforting,". He also felt lucky to be surrounded by highly professional army personnel. "Feel incredibly safe.
Lots of security, straight off the plane and straight to the hotel," he was quoted as saying in an AFP report. Australia will isolate themselves in their rooms for 24 hours while COVID-19 tests are carried out before practicing on Monday ahead of the first match in a three-Test series beginning in Rawalpindi on Friday.
Sharing his thoughts over being confined to hotel rooms, Cummins said, "We have travelled to India and places like that a lot where you probably don't leave the hotel too much, so we are used to it," said Cummins. He explained that there is no other distraction other than cricket, and the team is focusing on three-Test matches. The Australian Test skipper Pat Cummins admitted that the gradual return of international cricket to Pakistan would change the mindset of countries visiting the Asian country in the future. "We always know that Pakistan is an incredible cricket nation," said Cummins, who led Australia to a 4-0 Ashes win in his first assignment as captain.
"We feel lucky that we get to come back here after a whole generation didn't get that opportunity to come and play Test or any cricket here," he further said as per the same report.
Cricket Australia conducted a thorough assessment before clearing the tour. The fast-bowling Aussie skipper also claimed that security was one of the major factors they wanted to be assured of before arriving in the South Asian country. Notably, Pakistan has struggled to attract touring sides since a fatal terror attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009. They had to play their home games abroad, mostly in the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan appeared to have reassured international cricket authorities last year and have several cricketing assignments lined up in the coming time.