This is the strongest Pakistan batting lineup coming to Australia: Usman Khawaja

Australian batter Usman Khawaja opened up about the Pakistan team ahead of the upcoming three-match Test series between the two nations, starting from December 14 in Perth.

While speaking in an interview, Khawaja highlighted the impressive performances of key players such as Babar Azam, Imam ul Haq, and Abdullah Shafique, asserting that this batting combination is the most formidable he has witnessed from Pakistan.

"Pakistan is one of the better teams in the world. They have good batting and always have great fast bowlers. Looking at the past teams, I think this is the strongest Pakistan batting lineup coming over. Babar Azam is one of the best batsmen in the world. Imam ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique has scored a lot of runs. I am very excited about this challenge," Khawaja said.

In particular, Khawaja praised Babar Azam as one of the best batsmen globally across all formats.

"Babar Azam is one of the best batsmen in all three formats. Steve Smith is the greatest batsman of our era. When they both will be playing here in the Benaud-Qadir series, it would be exciting. Matching Babar with Smith is almost like matching Smith with Kohli," he said.

"One of the great things about Babar is he does not score only in Pakistan; he scores runs overseas as well. He has scored a hundred here in the past," he added.

Khawaja also acknowledged the potency of the fast bowling units from both sides, highlighting the pace and swing capabilities of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mitchell Starc.

"I think Shaheen Shah and Mitchell Starc, both are very fast bowlers, and both can bowl up to 145. We know Starc can swing the new ball. Shaheen has a very good wrist. He definitely swings the ball. When it's overcast in Australian conditions, if a fast bowler is swinging the ball, it makes our job as an opener a bit tough. This is what you rebel for, this is what you play for," he concluded.