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Pakistan have put two of their senior players on ice for the final Test against Australia at the SCG, which kicks off on Wednesday.
Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has been rested to prepare for Pakistan’s T20 series against New Zealand next week, while opening batter Imam-ul-Haq has been omitted.
Opening batsman Saim Ayub will make his debut at the SCG in the dead rubber match, after Australia clinched the series with wins in Perth and Melbourne.
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Pakistan captain Shan Masood has conceded that his team must look at the “bigger picture” after falling short in the Boxing Day Test by 79 runs.
“You always have to look at the bigger picture after a game like the MCG,” Masood said on Tuesday.
“We’ve learned the lessons, at least we’ve put ourselves in those positions from where we could compete in or dominate games.
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“It’s now about not repeating mistakes, and if we can put in similar efforts to the one at the MCG, we’ll be winning a lot of Tests.”
Australia confirmed it will name an unchanged lineup for David Warner’s final Test before he retires from the red ball game and ODI cricket.
All eyes will now turn to the state of the SCG pitch, as well as the weather, with rain expected at different times during the five days.
Australia take on Pakistan in the third and final Test of the series at the SCG from 10.30am.
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