Pakistan has never beaten Australia in a Test series in Australia, losing the last six series all the way back to 1981 and Gabba is a venue where Australia haven't lost their last 27 Tests but Australian side also has undergone massive change. Pakistan climbed to the top of the Test rankings in August after a 2-2 result in England, where Australia had failed 12 months prior, but have slipped to fourth.
Former great Waqar Younis says Pakistan will not fear Steve Smith's team and that this summer is his country's best chance to record a historic series victory in Australia. Former Australian star Shane Warne warned that Yasir Shah could be a real handful for Aussies. The bookies had Pakistan as $6.20 outsiders to win the first Test against Australia.
Australian Sport commentator Ronan O'Connel writes in the roar: “Don’t be distracted by Pakistan’s 2-0 Test loss in New Zealand – they are well and truly capable of upsetting Australia”.
Presence of Mickey Arthur, the former Australia coach now in charge of Pakistan, is an added spice to the series. Arthur, who still lives in Perth, faces the challenge of not only ending Pakistan's drought in Australia but becoming the first team from the sub-continent to win a Test series Down Under. Gabba clash is Australia's third pink-ball Test, but the first under the Brisbane lights, having beaten New Zealand and South Africa in Adelaide. Pakistan beat West Indies in its only day-night Test in Dubai in October.
Mickey Arthur was sacked as Australia coach just a fortnight from the Ashes series in England in 2013. South Africa-born former Australia coach turned Pakistan mentor Mickey Arthur had odds with so called “gang of four” of Australian squad.
The decision to dump Arthur comes fresh after Australia's limp showing in the Champions Trophy in 2013- the defending champions were eliminated in the group stage - and a 4-0 Test series thrashing at the hands of India. The South African's contract was due to conclude at the end of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, but Cricket Australia met with Arthur yesterday to relieve him of his duties.
In December 2013, in a frank interview with Fox Sports News 500, Arthur admits he got it wrong in cricket’s infamous ‘Homeworkgate’ scandal. Speaking on same channel, Clarke admits the decision to drop four players hurt his relationship with some people but says it was his role as captain to make tough decisions.
July 2013 , Australians were touring India with poor performance The heavy-handedness of the punishment handed down to Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja, who were all suspended for a Test against India, caused plenty of consternation amongst Cricket Australia officials. Call to suspend the four players was made by Arthur with the endorsement of Captain Michael Clarke. Later this year, clear signs of diffusion of all past tensions appeared when Clarke backed Usman Khawaja to reclaim his position at first drop for the opening Test of the summer against Sri Lanka and then made his place back against South Africa loudly.
Arthur oversaw an abysmal phase in Australian cricket, which included Khawaja getting axed during the 2013 tour of India in the midst of 'Homework-gate'. "I'm sure if I see Mickey there'll be no issues, it'll be fine, everything will be good." Khawaja told ABC. Since Khawaja stayed on the crease for a very short time in his first inning at GABBA, there is plenty of time in pavilion to cross with former Australian coach however Khawaja must be willing eagerly to demonstrate his real form in front of his past critics instead of sitting in pavilion.
Australia and Pakistan are ranked third and fourth in the ICC Test rankings respectively, which suggests that this battle will be a tight contest for all spectators to enjoy.
