Visiting captain Pat Cummins said he knows who his playing XI will be.
“We’ve got a fair idea what we want to do, but just don’t want to make the call too early without fully knowing what the wicket is,” Cummins said during a virtual media conference on Thursday. “I don’t think it’ll be a super quick wicket … probably two spinners or three quicks.”
Cummins, who led Australia to a 4-0 win in the home Ashes series against England, didn’t reveal whether leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson will make his debut or will partner Ashton Agar if Australia opts to go with two spinners.
“I’d probably prefer to keep it quiet,” he said. “I think that they’re both great options. Swepy, you know, leg spinner, it’s just a real luxury to have. He’s been bowling fantastically. He’s ready to go … (Ashton Agar) has been fantastic whenever he’s played for Australia.”
Cummins didn’t think that Pakistan will be weakened by the injuries to Hasan and Ashraf.
“(In) international cricket, you’ve got to have a squad of players,” he said. “I’m sure that would be a big loss … but there’s always another guy that can step up.”