AUS vs PAK 3rd Test Playing 11: Australia Remain Unchanged; Pakistan Make Two Changes

Australia has announced an unchanged playing XI, while Pakistan has made two changes for the third Test and final match of the series at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), beginning on Wednesday (January 3).

Hosts skipper Pat Cummins revealed everyone, including the quicks, who featured in the Boxing Day Test last week have recovered and are ready to play in the Pink Test in Sydney.

Australia had named an unchanged 13-member squad for the Sydney Test, where it was anticipated that all-rounder Cameron Green, who had a long hit at the nets on the eve of the game would feature, but they have stuck to the same 11.

Captain Cummins said Australia's fast bowlers have enough time to play every match because of the Test calendar that includes breaks between their two home series against Pakistan and the West Indies and their tour to New Zealand.

"Normally each summer there's something that pops up. But all three of us are really fresh. Even the way this summer is spread out a bit more, there's two Tests on, then a bit of a gap; then two Tests, then a bit of a gap; then New Zealand. We'll give it a chance. It's all gone pretty smoothly so far," Cummins was quoted as saying by ICC.

Pakistan, meanwhile, have made two changes to their playing 11 from the Boxing Day Test, including resting pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and dropping out of form opener Imam-Ul-Haq.

Earlier reports suggested that Hasan Ali and Imam will make way for two changes with a possible debutant and one spinner coming into the side. Abrar Ahmed and Sajid Khan were expected to replace one of the pacer.

The duo have been replaced in the playing 11 by Saim Ayub, who will make his Test debut, and spin bowling all-rounder Sajid Khan, who is set to play in his first Test since March 2022, when he faced Australia in home conditions. Here is a look at the AUS vs PAK 3rd Test Playing 11:

Australia vs Pakistan Playing 11 For 3rd Test

Australia 11 vs Pakistan for SCG Test: Pat Cummins (captain) David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

Pakistan 11 vs Australia for SCG Test: Shan Masood (captain), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Aamir Jamal.