Aussies land in UAE for Pakistan series

Dubai: Formidable Australia landed at Dubai International airport for their UAE tour of matches against ‘hosts’ Pakistan in all three formats of the sport, starting Sunday. Both sides have star players missing from their lineups due to injuries and technical hitches.
James Faulkner, the Australia all-rounder, said: “All of us are looking forward to Sunday’s Twenty20 International against Pakistan at Dubai Sports City.
“This is an opportunity to erase the memory of Pakistan’s win at the ICC World Twenty20 in April this year in Bangladesh.”
“Getting acclimatised to the UAE conditions and the pitch as soon as possible will hold key to our chances here this time,” Faulkner added while speaking to audioBoom.fm early Monday morning soon after landing in Dubai.
He continued: “Pakistan will find able bowling replacements for Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez on Sunday for they are talented enough to overcomes hurdles.”
Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann prior to the team’s departure said: ‘An allrounder capable of bowling a significant number of overs will definitely be part of Australia’s side during the upcoming series against Pakistan in the UAE.” Meanwhile, Aussie superstar Michael Clarke will be doing his best to ensure fitness in time for the Test series against Pakistan after being ruled out of the early part of the UAE trip. Team physio Alex Kountouris had said that Clarke was “not a sure thing” for the two Tests in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, although he was hopeful a quick recovery.