Usman Khawaja is taking the Pakistani homecoming in his stride but admits the hype around Australia's first Test tour of the country since 1998 is real.
Born in Islamabad, Khawaja will open the batting in Pakistan, 24 years after Mark Taylor and Michael Slater were the last Australians to do so.
Even a few months ago, the chances of Khawaja ever playing an international match in the country he lived in as a young boy seemed remote.
The 35-year-old had not played for Australia since 2019, and the long-awaited tour of Pakistan was yet to receive the all-clear.
But once Khawaja struck dual centuries at the SCG on his return to the Test side, when he was recalled for an injured Travis Head, his spot on the plane was secure.
"Every game for Australia now is just a bonus," Khawaja said.
"The fact I'm playing in Pakistan is special, don't get me wrong, it's very special, and something I've always wanted to do.
"There's a bit of sentiment there but once the game starts you don't really think about that stuff, you're more worried about the ball coming down."
Pakistani crowds will be in the difficult position of cheering hard for their team but hoping Khawaja stars.
In Khawaja's press conference on Monday, the classy left-hander answered a couple of questions in the Urdu language, exemplifying the deep connection he still has to his birth country.
"They'll hope I get runs, but they'll be hoping Australia get smashed at the same time," Khawaja said.
"I know where the Rawalpindi ground is, I've got a couple of photos from when I was younger at the old Rawalpindi ground.
"Pakistanis love their cricket, and they appreciate good cricket, and I think that's what they'd be hoping for.
"There'd be some very lonely, pretty boring summers (if cricket was taken away from Australia) so I feel for the fans.
"Pakistan has been deprived a fair bit, it's been disappointing, but obviously understand why.
"They're still playing overseas but it's not the same."
One of Khawaja's best international innings came against Pakistan, back in 2018 when his gritty century helped Australia secure a famous draw in Dubai.
But do not expect him to be watching clips of that game before the start of Friday's first Test in Rawalpindi to get him motivated.
"I don't want to live in the past too much, it was a few years ago," Khawaja said.
"I try to stay quite present and I'm really enjoying my cricket at the moment.
"I'm loving playing Test cricket, and I'm loving playing for Queensland back at home."
