Pakistan make two massive changes for third Test against Australia

Saim Ayub will make his debut, replacing opener Imam-ul-Haq in the lineup.

According to media reports, the team management is unhappy with Imam’s slow batting during the series so far. The left-hander has scored 94 runs in four innings at a strike-rate of 31.22.

The management has given clear instructions to the team about playing positive cricket, the sources added.

Meanwhile, spinner Sajid Khan has been included in place of pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has been rested, in order to boost the spin-bowling department since the pitch is likely to assist the slower bowlers.

Shaheen has bowled 99.2 overs during the series, which is the most for both teams.

Australia beat Pakistan in the second Test by 79 runs in Melbourne to clinch the three-match Test series.

Chasing a target of 317 runs, Pakistan were dismissed for 237 in their second innings on Friday.

A fired-up Pat Cummins bagged five wickets and 10 for the match to lead from the front and earn Australia a nail-biting win. The right-armer also bagged the Player of the Match award.

The hosts thumped the visitors by 360 runs in Perth during the first Test.

Pakistan have performed poorly in Australia, losing 16 Tests on the trot with their last win in 1995.

Teams
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (capt), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Hasan Ali, Sajid Khan, Mir Hamza, Aamer Jamal.