LAHORE, Pakistan, Nov 29, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Newly appointed skipper Shan

Masood set Pakistan a tough target on Wednesday for their forthcoming tour of
Australia -- make history.

Pakistan have never won a Test series in the 12 times they have toured down
under, with the south Asian side losing the last 14 five-dayers in a row
there.

But Masood, 34, who took over the Test side after Babar Azam relinquished the
captaincy in all formats of cricket following Pakistan's disastrous World Cup
campaign, sees an opportunity.

"When you have not achieved something in history, then you have an
opportunity to change it," he told a news conference in Lahore ahead of the
team's departure.

"So we will make an effort to produce positive results for Pakistan and for
the World Test championship."

Pakistan are on the top of World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle with wins in
both Tests against Sri Lanka, while India are second and Australia third on
the nine-team table.

But Australia are flying high after winning the last cycle of the
championship and lifting the 50-over World Cup earlier this month.

The Test series starts with the first match in Perth from December 14,
followed by Melbourne (December 26-30), and Sydney (January 3-7).

Pakistan lost both Tests by an innings margin during their last tour -- a
series Masood was part of.

"We need to score 400 and then take 20 wickets," said Masood of what was
required.

"We did not do that on our last tour in 2019, so that is the goal."

Masood admitted Australia would be high on confidence.

"The positive thing will be to have the belief to play well, and all those
playing contribute to give Australia some tough times."

Masood insisted the tourists had prepared well for this series.

"We tried to replicate the Australian conditions in our training camp in
Rawalpindi, which has a bouncy pitch," he said.

He also hailed the appointment of former England skipper Adam Hollioake, who
coaches in Australia, as the team's new batting coach.

"Teams hire people who have local knowledge, and he is an expert of
Australian conditions so his appointment will help us to apply ourselves in
those conditions."

He also backed his predecessor Azam to have a big tour, saying the team's
batting "will go around him".

"We want to play the type of cricket that our fans enjoy -- a good and
fighting brand," he said.