Michael Clarke’s Australian team arrived in heatwave conditions on Wednesday in the United Arab Emirates as they prepare for a three-week series of limited-overs matches against Pakistan.

Clarke’s side are determined to show some improvement following their recent 4-0 series loss in one-day internationals against England and the four-time World Cup-winning Australians currently sit fourth on the ODI rankings.

Australia face Afghanistan in a one-off ODI game on Saturday in Sharjah before tackling Pakistan in a three-match ODI series and three Twenty20 fixtures.

The temperature is forecast to reach at least 40 degrees for the next four days in Dubai and Saturday’s game in nearby Sharjah is due to start at 6pm (2400 AEST) to avoid the heat of the day.

Assistant coach Steve Rixon is in charge of the national squad in the UAE for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan while head coach Mickey Arthur works on tactics back home in Australia for next month’s T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.