Pakistan changes two players for the SCG Test against Australia, resting paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi and removing opener Imam-ul-Haq

Pakistan’s XI for the third Test of the three-match series against Australia has been declared. Shaheen Shah Afridi has been rested, while Imam-ul-Haq, who has been out of form, has been dropped.

Abrar Ahmed, their primary spinner, is still recovering from a knee injury sustained in the tour match preceding the first Test and will be out for the third Test as well. Off-spinner Sajid Khan, who was brought in as cover for Abrar, has been picked to the XI and will play his 8th Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Shaheen stated that the decision to’manage my workload’ was made after he bowled ‘a lot of overs’ in the first two Tests in Perth and Melbourne. Shaheen took eight wickets in the first two Tests, including a four-wicket haul at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, Shaheen lamented the squandered opportunities on the pitch during the recent Australian trip. In the first innings of the MCG Test, Abdullah Shafique lost an easy catch in the slip cordon, giving David Warner a lifeline.

With Abrar out and Sajid not selected, Pakistan relied on spinning all-rounder Agha Salman for the first two Tests. He only took one wicket in 51 overs and scored 160 runs in defeats in Perth and Melbourne, but will have Sajid on his side at the SCG starting Wednesday. Imam was fired after posting scores of 62, 10, 10, and 12 on the tour thus far. Saim Ayub, 21, will make his debut in his place.

Pakistan is presently behind the series 0-2, having lost their last 18 Tests on Australian soil.

Ayub had a fantastic 2023 season, playing across forms in domestic cricket and franchise competitions all around the world. He has previously played eight T20Is for Pakistan and will be the seventh Pakistani debutant to bat first in Australia. The remainder of Pakistan’s lineup stays unchanged, with Mohammad Rizwan remaining as wicketkeeper and Salman Ali Agha remaining at No. 7.

The third match, which will also be David Warner’s last Test, begins on January 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Pakistan XI