Australia vice-captain Steve Smith on Tuesday performed down a loss of life risk on social media to all-rounder Ashton Agar after the visors landed in Pakistan for his or her first-ever excursion of the Asian country in 24 years. Smith mentioned they believe their safety workforce in Pakistan and that they’re feeling protected.
Ashton Agar used to be warned towards travelling to Pakistan days forward of the primary Take a look at, which will get underway from March 4 in Rawalpindi. Previous within the day, each Cricket Australia and Pakistan Cricket Board pushed aside the risk after launching an investigation into it.
A portion of the message reads: “It is a caution on your husband Ashton Agar if he involves excursion towards Pakistan he gained’t come [back] alive.” The message additionally references Agar’s youngsters even because the cricketer does no longer have children.
Australia had landed in Pakistan on Sunday for a multi-format collection comprising 3 Assessments, 3 ODIs, and one T20I. That is Australia’s first travel to Pakistan since 1998.
“We are conscious about social media and the unlucky occasions that may happen on platforms,” Smith mentioned in Rawalpindi.
“We now have were given a large number of folks operating right here with us, we believe our safety and we are feeling extremely protected in Pakistan.”
Pakistan has struggled to draw visiting aspects since a deadly terrorist assault at the visiting Sri Lanka workforce’s bus in 2009, and Australia pulled out of a excursion 5 years previous after a suicide blast at a Lahore church. Final yr, England and New Zealand pulled out in their excursions to Pakistan, mentioning safety issues.
Smith’s reassurance comes days after captain Pat Cummins mentioned the Australian avid gamers and the enhance personnel are feeling “extremely protected” and being sorted by means of the PCB.
CONCUSSION-FREE SMITH READY FOR PAKISTAN TESTS
In the meantime, Smith mentioned he has recovered smartly from the concussion that he picked up whilst fielding throughout a T20I collection towards Sri Lanka in Sydney final month.
Smith sustained a concussion in a fit towards Sri Lanka in Sydney final month, slamming his head to the bottom after falling over the boundary rope however the 32-year-old mentioned he had stepped forward smartly.
“It is the first consultation again for me going through speedy bowling. I am recuperating from the concussion and I have confronted some side-arm and spinners,” Smith mentioned.
“The pinnacle has stepped forward truly smartly the previous few days. I am feeling in a excellent area, performed a large number of stuff the place I have were given my center charge as much as a excellent quantity and taken it down … all a part of the protocols of having again to enjoying.”
