Former Pakistan cricket team skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has shunned an impression that it would be an upset if his side would beat Australia in the Test series, which is set to begin on December 14.

“It’s not an upset,” he said when asked whether the team has an opportunity to cause an upset on this tour while seeing the hosts.

Pakistan would play its first Test match against Aussies next week under the leadership of new skipper Shan Masood, who took the reins of captaincy from Babar Azam after team’s disastrous performance in the Men’s ODI 50-over World Cup.

Australia, the former World Test champions, would eye for a winning start against Pakistan. Both sides are known for their pace attack, however, the hosts batting line up has been consistent as compared to the visitors.

“If you talk about our team. It is a very settled team when you are talking about our batting and bowling. We want to play good cricket against the top quality team so hope for the best,” Sarfaraz, who was in Canberra for this first time, said.

He added that it would be a good practice against the Australian PM’s XI ahead of their clash against the hosts.

He went on to add that the team was expecting the same kind of weather throughout the three Test match series. Australia’s seasons are at opposite times to those in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer in Australia falls between the months of December and February.

When asked, he said that it was an honour for any player to lead the national side and represent Pakistan at the highest level. “He [Shan Masood] was leading well. He has great bonding with Mohammad Hafeez and Babar’s role is good. He is very much involved in the team so it’s a good sign that your former skipper is helping the team.”

In a response to a query, he said that they left Pakistan with a team goal and they have to won the series. “If I get a chance, I will try to perform well in batting and wicket-keeping departments.”

Sarfaraz said that he and Mohammad Rizwan, another wicket-keeper batter in the team, would try to come up to the expectations of the team.

He was of the view that both teams were good on paper. “It will be a good contest as they have good bowlers and we also have Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali.”

Sarfaraz sent best wishes to David Warner, who probably be playing his last Test against Pakistan, but added that the team would try to get his wicket as early as possible.

He expressed hope that new comers would be able to fill in the gap left after Naseem Shah was ruled out of the series due to injury.