Australia made me a better coach: Arthur

New Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur says he has grown from his experience in charge of Australia and believes his side can challenge Darren Lehmann's team this coming summer.

Arthur was last Friday appointed coach of a team that has built a reputation for being notoriously difficult for mentors but has nonetheless risen to No.3 in the Test rankings.

The South African, who believes Pakistan's bowling group is the equal of any in Test cricket, said he has "unfinished business" with Australia and is relishing the opportunity of a three-Test series, including a day-night fixture at the Gabba.

Lehmann took over from Arthur following the disastrous 'homeworkgate' tour of India in 2013, and the former Australia player immediately struck up a strong working relationship with then captain Michael Clarke.

"I hate the word 'homeworkgate'. And I hate that whole issue," Arthur told News Corp.

"But at the end of the day, would I have done it again? Maybe, maybe not. I'm not sure.

"But I certainly learnt a massive amount out of the whole experience."

The pair orchestrated a five-nil Ashes whitewash in the 2013-14 summer and Australia went on to win the 2015 World Cup on home soil.

In February, Smith's side also returned to the top of the Test rankings for the second time since Lehmann's appointment.

Arthur was criticised from several high-profile Australian players following his tenure.

Quick Single: Haddin slams ex-coach Arthur

"(Arthur) was very, very insecure and that came across in a lot of our selections and our plays," said Brad Haddin in November 2013.

"The brand of Australian cricket we have played forever and a day, I think that got lost in the period that Mickey had a hold of us.

"I don't think he understood and was secure enough in himself to get us to where we needed to go."

Arthur acknowledged his time with the Australia national team didn't run smoothly, but the South African said he has benefited from lessons learned.

"There are things I would have done differently but they're not for open discussion," Arthur told Fairfax.

"The principles I had in South Africa I tried to introduce in Australia and maybe I needed to be a bit more flexible and really judge the temperature a bit better, and a willingness to change. That makes me a better coach now.

"The work that Darren and his staff have done with the players has been very, very good. It's been outstanding.

"You do feel a little bit like you were on the right track in terms of player identification but who knows? I'm just looking forward to playing against them at the end of the year.

"It'll be a great summer. Hopefully we can get (the Pakistan players) up to speed – they can certainly test Australia in all departments."