Veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon is looking forward to the challenge of bowling against Babar Azam in the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan which is scheduled to kick off from December 14. Lyon expressed his admiration for Babar, acknowledging him as one of the world's best batters.
Lyon has managed to dismiss Babar five times since 2016. In Test matches against Australia, Babar has accumulated 799 runs in 19 innings, boasting an average of 44.39. During Pakistan's previous tour of Australia, he scored 210 runs with an average of 52.50, including one century and a fifty.
During a discussion with ESPNCricinfo, Lyon acknowledged Babar as the superstar of the Pakistan team and anticipated a formidable challenge for the Australian side in the upcoming three-match Test series.
“Babar, firstly, has been a pleasure to play against but he’s also been a massive challenge. He’s one of the best batters in the world in my eyes, especially against spin. He’s a class player. But think he’s a class player against all types of bowling,” Lyon told ESPNcricinfo.
“They’ve got some superstars in the side, and if I’m talking superstars he’s the no. 1 in the Pakistan side in my eyes. He played reasonably well out here last time so it’s going to be a big challenge for us for sure,” he added.
The 36-year-old cricketer is preparing to rejoin Test cricket following a calf injury that cut short his Ashes campaign earlier in 2023. After featuring in three Sheffield Shield matches in November, the experienced off-spinner is poised to make his comeback in Perth.
Lyon is on the brink of surpassing the 500-wicket milestone, aspiring to become the third Australian bowler and the eighth overall to achieve this feat. He conveyed his enthusiasm and excitement about playing the upcoming match at Optus Stadium in Perth.
“The hunger level for playing Test matches is probably higher than ever if I’m being honest. I'm excited about it. Love playing in Perth at Optus Stadium. It’s going to be a challenge against Pakistan, so it’s going to be an exciting battle,” Lyon further added.
After Babar Azam's resignation, Shan Masood will be leading Pakistan's pack in the Test fold.
Pakistan vs Australia's Test series schedule:
| Date and Time | Match Details |
Dec 14, Thursday 02:20 AM GMT | 10:20 AM LOCAL | Australia vs Pakistan, 1st Test Perth Stadium, Perth |
Dec 26, Tuesday 11:30 PM GMT (Dec 25) | 10:30 AM LOCAL | Australia vs Pakistan, 2nd Test Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
Jan 03, Wednesday 11:30 PM GMT (Jan 02) | 10:30 AM LOCAL | Australia vs Pakistan, 3rd Test Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |
Pakistan's Test squad: Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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