Pakistan will give tough competition to Australia: Asad.

KARACHI -- Senior batsman Asad Shafiq expressed the hope on Sunday that Pakistan would compete with Australia despite their wretched Test record Down Under.

Speaking to reporters during an open media session at the National Stadium, the 33-year-old right-hander said Pakistan may had not won any series in Australia but had opportunities from time to time to beat the Australians in their own backyard.

'The last time we were there Pakistan almost scored a famous victory in the day/night series opener in Brisbane,' Asad, who stood out in that game with a superlative career-best knock of 137, reminisced. 'In the end we lost by just 39 runs, and if luck had sided with us, who knows the outcome of the last series would have been a different story.'

Pakistan, who were captained by current head coach-cum-chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq, suffered a 3-0 whitewash during the previous tour in 2016-17 as Steve Smith-led side went on to win the remaining two Tests in Melbourne - where newly-appointed skipper Azhar Ali carried his bat in the first innings with 205 - and Sydney.

In fact, Australia had won each of the last four home series of three Tests against Pakistan beginning from 1999-2000 when Steve Waugh led them. In the subsequent rubbers in 2004-05 and 2009-10 Ricky Ponting captained the home team. Pakistan have only managed to defeat the Australians Down Under just four times, with their last success coming way back in 1995-96 when Wasim Akram skippered his side to 74-run victory.

'There is no doubt the conditions in Australia are generally foreign for any visiting team, more so for countries in our region. The pitches there are true and hard at most venues. The Gabba favours fast bowling and if our bowlers bowl in the right areas, then there is hope for us,' Asad said. 'On the last trip, the bowling more than batting let Pakistan down because the wicket-taking...