Fawad Ahmed has been called into the Australian squad in an effort to help Pat Cummins' side adapt to conditions on the ground in Pakistan.
As first reported by Fairfax journalist Dan Brettig, the Pakistan-born right-armer will link up with the tourists and offer his expertise as a net bowler ahead of the three-Test series.
Fawad's call-up will see him don green and gold attire for the first time since playing three ODIs and a pair of T20 internationals for his adopted home in 2013.
While Cummins predicted that reverse swing would play a large role in the red-ball series ahead of the Australian's charter flight to the subcontinent, Fawad's experience taking wickets in Pakistani conditions will also serve the tourists well.
The former Victorian Sheffield Shield representative has recently been plying his trade for Pakistan Super League franchise Lahore Qalanders, collecting two wickets in his sole appearance this season.
As a leg-break bowler, Fawad's nous will become invaluable to Queensland tweaker Mitchell Swepson who made the journey from Melbourne with the remainder of Andrew McDonald's squad on Sunday.
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Brettig reported that the spinner's time spent with Australian representatives Travis Head and Alex Carey during the trio's time with BBL outfit Adelaide Strikers was integral in being called back to camp.
Speaking to Geo News, the 40-year-old expressed that his knowledge of conditions away from the boundary would also serve the Australians well during their first tour to the nation since 1998.
“When I was in Big Bash, everyone was asking a lot of questions about the security and conditions like how the ball would behave, how the pitch would be,” he explained.
“So I shared information in a good way and convinced them as well, I also spoke to CA and other officials too, and tried my best on my side to convince them, especially about security.
“I explained it that the security in Pakistan will make you feel as secure as anywhere in the world. Security here will be very tight.”
Fawad also expected that Australia could expect stiffer competition than what was produced by England during the Ashes series at home this summer.
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“Australia will not be an easy sail for Pakistan, it will be a tough competition," he added.
"Pakistan’s strength looks fast bowling now and one expects that Pakistan will prepare wickets that support fast bowlers, and if they produce such wickets, then it will also help to Australia and give them some advantage because they’ve good bowlers as well.”
The first Test is set to commence in Rawalpindi at 4:00pm AEDT on Friday, March 4.
