Australia are on a journey of discovery as they tour Pakistan for the first time in a quarter of a century and will hope to emerge with a first away Test series win in six years. Pat Cummins’s side have not played a Test off-shore since the outbreak of Covid-19 and many of the players are visiting the South Asian nation for the first time.

Injuries, positive Covid-19 cases and inclement weather have hogged much of the attention on the eve of the Test.

There’s at least one positive Covid-19 case in both camps, with Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf ruled out of the first Test. Australia’s spin bowling consultant Fawad Ahmed also tested positive on Wednesday.

Pakistan Test regulars — fast bowler Hasan Ali and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf — were ruled out owing to injuries with fast bowler Naseem Shah and all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed coming into the side.

The rain in Rawalpindi on Thursday kept both teams in their hotels and more rain is forecast for the last three days of the Test match. Cummins did not reveal the makeup of his team but said playing two spinners remained an option. Veteran Nathan Lyon remains Australia’s frontline spinner.

The tourists, however, are tempted to field a second spinner on a pitch where Cummins expects decent turn even if not from the very first session. “I don’t have an XI yet. We’re pretty sure but we just want to have another look at the wicket,” Cummins told a media conference.

It would be a toss-up between uncapped leggie Mitchell Swepson and left-arm spinner Ashton Agar should Australia pick a second slow bowler for the soldout contest.

Pakistan are determined to give Australia a “tough time”, despite losing three players to injuries and ailment, home captain Babar Azam said.

“We did well against Bangladesh. In this series too, we will give them a tough time. Fans can expect quality cricket from us.”

Match starts: 9.30am, live on Sony Six and Sony Six HD