Pakistan named their playing for the 3rd test match against Australia to be played at SCG, Sydney from 3rd January onwards. It promises to be an exciting encounter as Shan Masood and Co. will look to gain 12 points in the 2023-25 ICC Test championship cycle.
Saim Ayub will open the innings along with Abdullah Shafique. Imam UL Haq scored a half-century in the first innings of 1st Test match at Perth. Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, and Mohammed Rizwan would comprise the middle order. Shan looked impressive with half-centuries in both innings of 2nd test match at MCG. Babar Azam got starts but was unable to convert into big scores.
The pace bowling options comprise of Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza and Aamer Jamal. Their star premier bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been rested as he will captain the T20I team for the series against New Zealand.
Sajid Khan would be the spin bowling option along Salman Agha would be the part-time spinner. Pakistan performed decently in the entire match as Mir Hamza looked impressive picking 4 wickets in the 2nd innings. Sajid Khan will be returning to the Pakistan Test squad after a gap of 2 years. He played his last Test match in March 2022 when Australia toured Pakistan for 3 test series.
Saim Ayub is an attacking opener that put pressure on the bowlers. They need to showcase his talent against strong Australian bowling including Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Nathan Lyon that would create doubts on the opponents.
Pakistan would be looking to prove their worth against Australia in the 3rd Test match at Sydney. It was an impressive performance by Pakistan in the 2nd test after reducing them to 16 for 4 in the second innings. Mitchell Marsh and Steve Smith put on a 153-run stand that helped Australia to recover and set a 317-run target.
Shan Masood and Mohammed Rizwan got starts but were not able to convert it into a big total. After the fall of Rizwan’s wicket, Pakistan lost wickets to be bundled out 79 runs short of the target.
Pakistan XI for the 3rd Test against Australia
Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (C), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Mohammed Rizwan, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Amer Jamal, Sajid Khan.
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