Pakistan announced their playing XI for the upcoming New Year’s Test against Australia, omitting experienced pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and opener Imam-ul-Haq from the lineup.
The third Test, set to commence on Wednesday, will witness the debut of 21-year-old opener Saim Ayub, a promising talent elevated due to his impressiveList-AA performances for Karachi.
Saim, who marked his T20I debut in March last year, brings forward his consistent performances, amassing 123 runs across eight T20Is at an average of 17.57. Joining him in this crucial encounter, 30-year-old off-spinner Sajid Khan replaces Shaheen Shah Afridi. Khan makes a return to the Test side after nearly two years, showcasing a decent record with 22 wickets in seven games.
Australia, on the other hand, announced an unchanged side from the previous Test, highlighting that it will be David Warner’s final Test match in the Australian colors. The Sydney Test holds significance with Australia leading the series 2-0 and aiming to solidify their standing on the ICC World Test Championship table.
Scheduled from January 3 to 7, the third Test in Sydney promises to be a significant test for both sides, with Pakistan looking for a turnaround while Australia eyes a series whitewash.
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