Australia batsman Steve Smith said on Tuesday the players felt "incredibly safe" on their first tour of Pakistan in nearly 25 years, despite spinner Ashton Agar receiving a death threat via social media just days before the start of the first Test. Agar was warned against travelling to Pakistan, though the threat was dismissed following an investigation by the boards of Pakistan and Australia and government security agencies.

Cricket Australia said extensive security plans were in place for such social media activity and that the threat was "not considered a risk". Smith said the team trusted the security arrangements in place. "We`re aware of social media and the unfortunate events that can occur on platforms," he told reporters ahead of the first test, which starts on Friday in Rawalpindi. "We`ve got a lot of people working here with us, we trust our security and we`re feeling incredibly safe in Pakistan." Top teams have largely shunned Pakistan since an attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009 that killed six policemen and two civilians.

International sides have recently started touring Pakistan again but in September New Zealand returned home after abruptly abandoning a tour minutes before the opening game in Rawalpindi following a government security alert. England followed suit three days later, withdrawing their men`s and women`s teams from a tour in October citing the "mental and physical well-being" of players.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-cricketer-ashton-agar-receives-death-threat-ahead-of-pakistans-test-series-against-aussies-457621">Australian cricketer Ashton Agar receives death threat ahead of Pakistan's Test series against Aussies</a>

Smith said that he was relishing the challenge of playing in Pakistan. "It`s great to be back here and playing cricket," he said. "It`s the first time a lot of us have been here and we`re excited. We know how passionate Pakistanis are about cricket."

Smith sustained a concussion in a match against Sri Lanka in Sydney last month, slamming his head to the ground after falling over the boundary rope but the 32-year-old said he had progressed well. "It`s the first session back for me facing fast bowling. I`m recovering from the concussion and I`ve faced some side-arm and spinners," Smith said.

"The head has progressed really well the last few days. I`m feeling in a good space, done a lot of stuff where I`ve got my heart rate up to a good amount and brought it down ... all part of the protocols of getting back to playing."

Australia batsman Steve Smith said on Tuesday the players felt "incredibly safe" on their first tour of Pakistan in nearly 25 years, despite spinner Ashton Agar receiving a death threat via social media just days before the start of the first Test.

Australia batsman Steve Smith said on Tuesday the players felt "incredibly safe" on their first tour of Pakistan in nearly 25 years, despite spinner Ashton Agar receiving a death threat via social media just days before the start of the first Test. Agar was warned against travelling to Pakistan, though the threat was dismissed following an investigation by the boards of Pakistan and Australia and government security agencies. Cricket Australia said extensive security plans were in place for such social media activity and that the threat was "not considered a risk". Smith said the team trusted the security arrangements in place. "We`re aware of social media and the unfortunate events that can occur on platforms," he told reporters ahead of the first test, which starts on Friday in Rawalpindi. "We`ve got a lot of people working here with us, we trust our security and we`re feeling incredibly safe in Pakistan." Top teams have largely shunned Pakistan since an attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009 that killed six policemen and two civilians. International sides have recently started touring Pakistan again but in September New Zealand returned home after abruptly abandoning a tour minutes before the opening game in Rawalpindi following a government security alert. England followed suit three days later, withdrawing their men`s and women`s teams from a tour in October citing the "mental and physical well-being" of players. ALSO READ | Australian cricketer Ashton Agar receives death threat ahead of Pakistan's Test series against Aussies Smith said that he was relishing the challenge of playing in Pakistan. "It`s great to be back here and playing cricket," he said. "It`s the first time a lot of us have been here and we`re excited. We know how passionate Pakistanis are about cricket." Smith sustained a concussion in a match against Sri Lanka in Sydney last month, slamming his head to the ground after falling over the boundary rope but the 32-year-old said he had progressed well. "It`s the first session back for me facing fast bowling. I`m recovering from the concussion and I`ve faced some side-arm and spinners," Smith said. "The head has progressed really well the last few days. I`m feeling in a good space, done a lot of stuff where I`ve got my heart rate up to a good amount and brought it down ... all part of the protocols of getting back to playing."

Steve Smith says Australian cricket team 'incredibly safe' in Pakistan despite Ashton Agar threat

The Australian cricket team is currently in Pakistan on a historic tour of the country for the first time in 24 years. Australia is the first high-profile team in recent years that is set to play a full-fledged series in Pakistan. Australia last played in Pakistan in 1998 and have arrived this year for three Tests, as many ODIs and a one-off T20I against the&nbsp;Babar Azam-led side.

Ahead of the start of the three-match Test series, the Australian team has been alarmed after one of their cricketers received a death threat online. Australian cricketer Ashton Agar has been subjected to a death threat just days ahead of the start of the Test series between the two teams.

“This is a warning for your husband Ashton Agar. If he comes for tour against Pakistan he won't come alive," read a part of the message sent to Madeleine on her social media account.

"Your children will miss their Father if he comes to Pakistan. Our snipers will blow his head," it read further.

<img alt="Ashton Agar" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="33c9eb34-6cdf-41c6-8398-e90ba1c97e5d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Ashton%20agar%20death.jpg" />

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/trolls-are-not-real-indians-mohammed-shami-on-facing-online-abuse-after-defeat-against-pakistan-in-t20-wc-457514">Trolls are not real Indians: Md.&nbsp;Shami on facing online abuse after defeat against Pakistan in T20 WC</a>

As per reports in Australian media, Madeleine was quick to inform about the message to Cricket Australia, who have since released a joint statement along with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on the matter. The Australian team had arrived in Pakistan's Islamabad on Sunday last week ahead of the start of the two-match Test series.

Cricket Australia in its statement said that the threatening message to Agar was not deemed a risk and that extensive security plans are in place for the historic Test series. “There are extensive security plans in place for this type of social media activity, which, in this case, is not considered a risk. No further comment will be made at this time," CA said in a joint statement with PCB.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dsappointing-that-virat-kohlis-100th-test-will-be-played-behind-closed-doors-sunil-gavaskar-457538">Disappointing that Virat Kohli's 100th Test will be played behind closed doors: Sunil Gavaskar</a>

Australia's tour of the country is a huge boost for the Pakistan Cricket Board in their bid to bring international cricket back to the nation. Major teams have refrained from travelling to Pakistan for security reasons since the infamous attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009.

Last year, New Zealand and England had both pulled out of their respective tours of Pakistan handing a big setback to the PCB. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board will hope for a successful completing of the upcoming series against Australia.

The Australian cricket team is currently in Pakistan on a historic tour of the country for the first time in 24 years. Australia is the first high-profile team in recent years that is set to play a full-fledged series in Pakistan.

The Australian cricket team is currently in Pakistan on a historic tour of the country for the first time in 24 years. Australia is the first high-profile team in recent years that is set to play a full-fledged series in Pakistan. Australia last played in Pakistan in 1998 and have arrived this year for three Tests, as many ODIs and a one-off T20I against the Babar Azam-led side. Ahead of the start of the three-match Test series, the Australian team has been alarmed after one of their cricketers received a death threat online. Australian cricketer Ashton Agar has been subjected to a death threat just days ahead of the start of the Test series between the two teams. “This is a warning for your husband Ashton Agar. If he comes for tour against Pakistan he won't come alive," read a part of the message sent to Madeleine on her social media account. "Your children will miss their Father if he comes to Pakistan. Our snipers will blow his head," it read further. Also Read: Trolls are not real Indians: Md. Shami on facing online abuse after defeat against Pakistan in T20 WC As per reports in Australian media, Madeleine was quick to inform about the message to Cricket Australia, who have since released a joint statement along with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on the matter. The Australian team had arrived in Pakistan's Islamabad on Sunday last week ahead of the start of the two-match Test series. Cricket Australia in its statement said that the threatening message to Agar was not deemed a risk and that extensive security plans are in place for the historic Test series. “There are extensive security plans in place for this type of social media activity, which, in this case, is not considered a risk. No further comment will be made at this time," CA said in a joint statement with PCB. Also Read: Disappointing that Virat Kohli's 100th Test will be played behind closed doors: Sunil Gavaskar Australia's tour of the country is a huge boost for the Pakistan Cricket Board in their bid to bring international cricket back to the nation. Major teams have refrained from travelling to Pakistan for security reasons since the infamous attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in 2009. Last year, New Zealand and England had both pulled out of their respective tours of Pakistan handing a big setback to the PCB. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board will hope for a successful completing of the upcoming series against Australia.

Australian cricketer Ashton Agar receives death threat ahead of Pakistan's Test series against Aussies

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Steve Smith says Australian cricket team 'incredibly safe' in Pakistan despite Ashton Agar threat

Australian cricketer Ashton Agar receives death threat ahead of Pakistan's Test series against Aussies