*KARACHI:* Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has sent a clear warning to hisside about the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. The Men in Green will start theirtour of Zimbabwe from July 1, which will consist of a T20I tri-series withhosts and Australia and later five-match ODI series against the hosts.

And Sarfraz, who will start the tour of Zimbabwe as the leader of thenumber one-ranked side in the shortest format of the game, believes theupcoming tour won’t be a walk in the park for the Men in Green. “Zimbabwetour is just around the corner but it won’t be easy by any stretch of theimagination,” said Sarfraz while talking to media in Karachi.

The wicketkeeper batsman also hinted that young players will be givenopportunity on the tour whenever required. “No team is weak in T20 cricketand hopefully we will perform well in the triangular series,” said Sarfraz.“Young players will be inducted in the side whenever an opportunityarises.”

Australia are going through a tough time recently and are still recoveringfrom the impact of the ball-tampering scandal which rocked the cricketworld in March earlier this year, but Sarfraz believes the Baggy Greenswill still represent a stiff challenge. “Australia are going through a badpatch but they are not a weak side,” he said. “Zimbabwe will also pose astiff challenge as they will have the advantage of home conditions.”

Sharing his views about England’s highest score in the 50-over formatagainst Australia, Sarfraz, who has represented Pakistan in 41 Tests, 85ODIs and 43 T20Is, believes sooner rather than later, world will get towitness scores in excess of 500 as well. “England scored 481 runs in an ODIagainst Australia which means will soon see the 500-run barrier beingcrossed in the 50-over format,” he said.