Pak vs Aus: Pakistan likely to replace Imam with Saim for Sydney Test

KARACHI: After suffering two consecutive defeats, Pakistan are likely to make one change for the third and final Test of the series against Australia in Sydney.

Opener Imam-ul-Haq is likely to be dropped from the side with youngster Saim Ayub set to make his debut.

According to sources, 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.

It has also been decided to reduce the workload on vice-captain and star pacer Shaheen Afridi. The lanky speedster will not bowl in the nets before the third Test, which begins on January 3. He is also likely to bowl fewer overs than he normally does during the final Test of the series.

Shaheen has bowled 99.2 overs during the series, so far, 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.