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In a significant move, Pakistan has announced alterations to their squad for the third and final Test match against Australia, set to commence on January 3 in Sydney. This match marks Pakistan's concluding engagement of their Australian tour. Under the leadership of Shan Masood, the team has opted to bench two key players - star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and opener Imam-ul Haq.
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To fill the void left by Shaheen's absence, a right-arm off-spinner has been called up. Additionally, Saim Ayub, a newcomer to Test cricket, has been given the opportunity to make his debut in the format. Ayub, at just 21 years of age, has already represented Pakistan in T20I cricket, accumulating 123 runs across eight matches. Despite his growing experience, Ayub is still chasing his first half-century for Pakistan.
Sajid Khan, another key addition to the team, was not initially part of the original squad. However, his inclusion became necessary due to a spate of injuries plaguing the Pakistan team. This need for reinforcements became especially acute after the loss of two frontline spinners, Abrar Ahmed and Nomam Ali, who both sustained injuries during the series.
Pakistan Playing XI for Sydney Test: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Aamir Jamal, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza
The reasons behind the decision to bench Imam and Shaheen have not been officially confirmed by the team management. Imam's performance in the ongoing Test series includes a noteworthy half-century in the first innings at Perth. Shaheen, on the other hand, had a challenging start to the series but made a commendable comeback in the Boxing Day Test match, where he claimed six wickets over two innings.
This strategic reshuffle in the Pakistan squad reflects the team's adaptability and readiness to experiment with new talent, especially in critical matches. With the introduction of fresh faces like Ayub and the strategic replacement for Shaheen, Pakistan aims to fortify its lineup and end the Australian tour on a strong note. This final Test in Sydney thus presents an intriguing mix of experienced and emerging talents, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to Pakistan's tour down under.
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