Spin predicted to be pivotal for series decider in Lahore
Overview
Pakistan vs Australia, third Test
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan
21-25 March, 10:00 local
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An expected dry and dusty pitch at Gaddafi Stadium means spin will once again play a major part in deciding how the third and final Test between Pakistan and Australia plays out.
The teams head to Lahore on the back of two consecutive draws and there is plenty to play for in the series decider in Pakistan’s second largest city.
Not only will a win for either side see them claim the three-match series, but there are also valuable ICC World Test Championship points up for grabs in the race to feature at next year's final.
Australia currently lead the standings with a win percentage of 71.42%, but their third-Test rival are sitting just behind them in second with a win percentage of 61.11%.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins has already declared his side will use the same XI that featured in Karachi, while Pakistan aren't expected to make too many changes to their team.
Leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood may be included instead of fellow tweakers Nauman Ali or Sajid Khan, but Pakistan will largely rely on the same players that have performed reasonably well against Australia.
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Remember the last time
You have to go back to November 1994 to find the last time that Pakistan hosted Australia in a Test in Lahore and the match ended tamely on the fifth and final day as it petered out to a draw.
Champion leg-spinner Shane Warne took 6/136 during Pakistan's first innings, but a stylish 115 from wicketkeeper Moin Khan helped the hosts post a competitive 373.
Michael Bevan (91) top-scored in reply as Australia put 455 on the board in their first innings, yet there were no final day fireworks as centuries to skipper Saleem Malik (143) and left-hander Aamer Sohail (105) ensured an early finish to the match.
What they said
Pakistan captain Babar Azam: "I feel it (the pitch) will definitely give turn. It has small cracks from where spinners get help and patches are formed."
Australia captain Pat Cummins: "We were really happy with how all 11 players went last Test. Everyone has pulled up really well. We gave them an extra couple of days to make sure everyone has come up good. But there's no injury worries, everyone is freshened up, so we're confident in the XI."
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood
**Australia squad:**Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner. On standby: Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Renshaw
Pakistan v Australia schedule
First Test: 4-8 March in Rawalpindi
Second Test: 12-16 March in Karachi
Third Test: 21-25 March in Lahore
First ODI: 29 March in Rawalpindi
Second ODI: 31 March in Rawalpindi
Third ODI: 2 April in Rawalpindi
First T20I: 5 April in Rawalpindi