Younus Khan believes the one-day series against Australia provides his team with a rare opportunity to secure a series.

The series, postponed from March last year due to Australia's refusal to tour Pakistan, will see the two teams clash in a one-day match for the first time since February 2005.

Pakistan's deteriorating security situation at home has since taken centre stage, the issue coming to a head with the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team by armed gunmen in Lahore last month.

The incident has forced the Pakistan Cricket Board to look to venues such as Abu Dhabi and Dubai to host their home matches.

And Younus believes a series win would help shift the spotlight back onto the field.

On-field performance

"We have not played international cricket for some time, but if we can put all our energy into this series we could win," Younus said.

"Australia, however, cannot be taken lightly. They may be missing some of their top players, but they are the only team in the world where players come and go and it doesn't affect their on-field performance or their results.

"This is a big series for us for several reasons. If we win, then people would have to sit up and take notice because we are playing Australia.

"If we play well, I think it will help us move on from the setbacks of the recent past."

Australia have rested skipper Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson, while Michael Clarke has been handed temporary charge of the side.

Transition phase

Pakistan's top order batsman Shahid Afridi believes the series could not have come at a better time.

"There is a tremendous hunger to win and all of us are looking forward to this series," Afridi said.

"The team has also started to combine well under Younus' captaincy and the series could not have come at a better time.

"The Australian team is in a transition phase and they don't have some of their top players here. As opponents, I would say that this is the best time to go after them."

On their part, Australia are looking to bounce back from the 3-2 defeat in the one-day series in South Africa.

Youth and experience

Clarke believes his side have a tough task but is confident of tackling Pakistan.

"We know we are up against a strong Pakistan team and at their best they are a difficult team to beat. But we are confident," Clarke said.

"Our squad is in a fortunate position of having some fresh faces around the group for these matches.

"It is a nice mix of youth and experience and we are hoping they will play a large role in our team playing some quality cricket.

"We are playing so much cricket that we need to rest some of our players. We have done that in the past and still have performed very well.

"For us, every game is important and so we will make sure we keep winning."