Will Pakistan hand the Aussies a reality check?

Pat Cummins leads a confident Australian team with more than a winning feeling against Pakistan to prove.

After a convincing Ashes campaign against the arch enemy and a comprehensive clean sweep against Sri Lanka in the three-match T20 series, the team is primed to write themselves into the history books if they can mark their return to Pakistan with a series win.

Experts predict that the Pakistanis will give the Aussies a reality check but the writing on the wall suggests otherwise.

Under Justin Langer’s watch, the Aussies have harnessed the best talent available in the country and possess enough depth to be able to put together a second-string side that can beat some of the lesser teams in the world.

But now, with Langer relegated to yesterday’s news, the Cummins-led Aussies are a confident mob filled with self belief and the mindset of a winning team.

(Photo by Mark Metcalfe – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Winning in Pakistan will not be an easy gig. The conditions and wickets will play a vital part on how quickly the tourists adapt to gain control.

Australia’s ideal strategy in subcontinental conditions will be to capitalise on their proven pace attack in the opening Test.

Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar have proved to be highly talented and second to few in their trade.

If they cannot penetrate the talented Pakistani line-up, they make up for it with their handy use with the bat.

Both Australia and Pakistan go toe to toe with talented and well balanced teams, which makes this showdown epic.

On paper, the Aussies appear to have the edge in my assessment.

But beating the home side in front of their adoring fans will be the odds the tourists are up against.

Pat Cummins and his team face the acid test of proving to themselves and to their fans that they have the ability to come up trumps without the Langer legacy.