AUS vs PAK 3rd Test: Australia Name Unchanged Squad As Pakistan Look To Hand Saim Ayub Debut

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Australia have named an unchanged 13-member squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan, scheduled to start on Wednesday (January 3) at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney.

Pat Cummins-led side have already won the series 2-0 following the Boxing Day Test win, and will look to complete a white wash when they face Shan Masood's side in Sydney next week.

Lance Morris, who was expected to earn a call up, will have to wait for his debut as Scott Boland stays in the extended squad as a fourth fast bowler, while all-rounder Cameron Green also remains as part of the group.

This SCG Test will also mark as the swansong for opener David Warner, who has announced his retirement from Test cricket. While Cricket Australia will look for a replacement for the veteran opener, the chief selector George Bailey said: "We look forward to celebrating David Warner's final Test match and his incredible career at his home ground."

Australia squad for 3rd Test vs Pakistan

Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

Pakistan to hand Test debut to Saim Ayub?

Meanwhile, Pakistan, who have had disappointing fourth day finish in the first two Tests ponder changes to their playing 11 especially in the opening slot with 21-year-old uncapped opener Saim Ayub likely to earn his Test debut.

According to report from PTI, the team management is thinking of replacing experienced opener Imam ul Haq with Ayub, who has already played for the national side in T20 format.

The report adds Imam's slow batting has come under criticism in the Pakistan cricket circles, and the team management has finally decided to take a chance with Ayub, who has played 8 T20Is this year and is widely regarded as a specialist in this format.

However, with just 14 First-Class games under his belt, many may feel it's too early for his inclusion. But with the Pakistan batting struggling in the first two Tests which ended inside four days the team management is ready to take a chance with Ayub.

The youngster from Karachi made his First-Class debut last year but has impressed everyone with his range of strokes and positive attitude. Apart from that change, Pakistan may also look at several other changes.

Senior pacer Shaheen Afridi also may be rested as they look to manage his workload, while Pakistan is also anxiously waiting on the fitness of mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed who missed the first two Tests due to a side injury.

Indications are that if Abrar is not fit in time for the Sydney Test, Pakistan will give a chance to off-spinner Sajid Khan who was called up as a reinforcement after the injury to Abrar.

Ayub and Abrar/Sajid are likely to replace Imam and pacer Hasan Ali/Shaheen in the playing eleven. Australia lead the three-match series 2-0, and Pakistan have lost 16 successive Tests in Australia.

Pakistan Squad for Australia Test series

Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi.