Lively contest expected

Brad Haddin will lead the touring team © Getty Images

An 11-member Australia A cricket squad arrived in Pakistan for a five-match tour early Friday, the first tour by any Australian team in seven years.

Australia's senior cricket team, which last toured Pakistan in 1998, refused to return in 2002 over security fears sparked in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the United States and the ensuing troubles in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Only a pre-tour security assessment cleared the Australia A tour, during which they will play only in Rawalpindi - near the capital Islamabad - and the eastern city of Lahore. A security officer is also travelling with the team.

"Cricket Australia and the Pakistan Cricket Board discussed and agreed to the security arrangements for the players and we are delighted to be here," Robertson told AFP on the squad's arrival. "I don't think the players have anything on their minds other than cricket and it's a great opportunity for them to make their mark."

Australia A captain Brad Haddin, understudy to current Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, and two other players - Brad Hodge and Stuart Clark - will arrive from England later. Shaun Tait, who was required to play in the fifth Test against England at The Oval, was replaced by upcoming Queensland quick bowler Mitchell Johnson.

Australia A will open their tour with a four-day match against Pakistan A at Rawalpindi from Sunday while the second four-day match, also at Rawalpindi, will be played from September 17 to 20. The three one-day matches are all scheduled in Lahore on September 23, 25 and 27.

Pakistan named Test discard Misbahul Haq to lead the Pakistan A side, which also include Test openers Yasir Hameed and Salman Butt, allrounder Shoaib Malik and fast bowlers Mohammad Sami, Umer Gul and Shahid Nazir. "PCB has approached this series very seriously by naming a strong squad and I hope it's going to be a very exciting series played in the true spirit," said Robertson.

Australia A - Brad Haddin (New South Wales - captain), Michael Hussey (Western Australia), Nathan Bracken (NSW), Stuart Clark (NSW), Daniel Cullen (South Australia), Brad Hodge (Victoria), James Hopes (Queensland), Phil Jaques (NSW), Michael Lewis (Victoria), Marcus North (Western Australia), Dominic Thornely (NSW), Shane Watson (Queensland), Mitchell Johnson (Queensland), Cameron White (Victoria).