``I think we played as good cricket as the Pakistanis in 1994. We lost the series 1-0 but we were a very competitive team,'' Taylor told reporters on arrival here today from Sydney via Kuala Lumpur.

``Unfortunately, we lost a very close Test match at Karachi (by one wicket) and were better off (Pakistan) in the other two Tests (at Rawalpindi and Lahore).

``I just hope that we play as good as we played here four years ago and get a little bit of luck this time when we need,'' the left-hander, who aims to give Australia their first Test win on Pakistan soil in 39 years, remarked.

Pakistan won the Karachi Test when Inzamamul Haq and Mushtaq Ahmad put on 57 runs for the last wicket. At Rawalpindi Salim Malik scored a match-saving 237 while at Lahore the star batsman hit a series-saving 143 after Pakistan had taken the field on the final day with just 55 runs ahead and five wickets remaining.

``I definitely believe that we can beat Pakistan in Pakistan. If we thought we couldn't beat Pakistan, we wouldn't be here,'' Australian coach and former opener Geoff Marsh said.

Of the 40 Tests played between the two nations Australia have won 14, including 12 at home. Pakistan have 11 wins, seven on home grounds.

``Over the past three years, Australia and Pakistan have performed well in international cricket. I am confident that it is going to be an exciting and competitive cricket in the next eight weeks,'' Taylor, under whose leadership Australia began the post-Allan Border era from Pakistan, said.

Since then Taylor has led Australia to series wins in the West Indies, South Africa and England. His 22 wins in 42 Tests as captain make him one of the most successful Australian captains of all time.

Taylor admitted that Shane Warne's absence has taken a big punch out of the Australian bowling. But was happy for Glenn McGrath who was back after a stomach injury.

``It's obviously a blow not having Shane Warne in the side not because he has been such a wonderful performer in Pakistan but everywhere. But the good news is that we have Glenn McGrath back and new leg-spinner in Stuart MacGill. It will be interesting to see how he performs.

``We are going to make sure that everyone steps up to fill up Shane Warne's shoes.''

``But I am confident that the bowlers we have here will make up for Shane Warne.''

Warne, the master leg-spinner, has captured with 313 wickets in 67 Tests.

About Colin Miller, Taylor said he would play a dual role in the series. He said the 32-year-old Tasmanian bowls fast swing bowling with the new ball and later comes back to bowl off-spinners. ``He may surprise the Pakistanis during the series.''

He was unsure what type of wickets will be prepared for the series in the absence of Shane Warne who was the leading bowler from the two sides with 18 wickets.

``It's upto any side that visits any place in the world to be prepared for any sort of wickets. The wickets here four years ago were very good Test wickets, they turned a little bit and carried through,'' he stated.

Taylor said his team was not worried with the latest round of betting and match-fixing inquiries. ``We are here to play cricket and have to give our best.''

Asked would Mark Waugh be allowed to record his statement before the judicial commission if summoned, Taylor said: ``I don't know. I would like to cross that bridge when I get to it.''

Shane Warne and Tim May also levelled bribe allegations against Salim Malik but both are not touring Pakistan. Warne is trying to recover from the shoulder injury while May has retired.

Taylor, nevertheless, rejected Pakistan cricket authorities claims that the allegations were levelled four months after the 1994-95 series. ``I was informed of the offer (by the players) during the Karachi Test. I communicated this to the Pakistan cricket authorities immediately.''

Taylor said Salim Malik was a great player. ``Looking back four years ago, Salim scored 557 runs in three Tests.''

Geoff Marsh said the team was focused on the series against Pakistan. He said the players had a good four-month break.

``We had a disappointing series against India. So it's a challenge for our guys to play well here,'' he said.

Marsh said the Commonwealth Games served as a good tune-up for the series against Pakistan. ``We also learnt a lot about the sub-continent conditions by playing in India last summer.''

Marsh termed the Pakistan tour a big one. ``We are very keen to perform well here and win the series.

``It will not be a tune-up for the Ashes series. We take every series separately whether it be against India, England or Pakistan.''

Australia get down to business from Thursday when they hold their first training session at the National Stadium. From Friday, the Australians play their only four-day game against Karachi City Cricket Association prior to the first Test against Pakistan starting at Rawalpindi from Oct 1.

The Australian team is:

Mark Taylor (captain), Steve Waugh (vice-captain), Damien Fleming, Ian Healy, Michael Kasprowicz, Justin Langer, Darren Lehman, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Colin Miller, Ricky Ponting, Gavin Robertson, Michael Slater, Mark Waugh.

Coach: Geoff Marsh
Manager: Steve Bernard

Tour itinerary:

Sept 25-28: Four-day against Karachi
Oct 1-5: First Test at Rawalpindi
Oct 8-11: Four-day at Rawalpindi
Oct 15-19: Second Test at Peshawar
Oct 22-26: Third Test at Karachi
Nov 6: First one-day at Karachi
Nov 8: Second one-day at Peshawar
Nov 10: Third one-day at Lahore