Pakistan make four changes for final Test

Announcing their playing XI a day before the third and final Test against Australia in Hobart,Pakistan have made four changes to the squad that lost by 36 runs in the Sydney Test. Fast bowler Mohammed Aamer will return to strengthen their bowling line-up on a swing-bowling paradise at the Bellerive Oval,while Shoaib Malik,Khurram Manzoor and uncapped wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed have made last minute entries.

Following a woeful display in the second Test in Sydney,wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has been left out of the team as the 27-year-old dropped four catches as Australia pulled off a remarkable win to clinch the series. Unfortunately Kamran had a bad game but he is a very good wicketkeeper-batsman. It can happen to anyone, coach Intikhab Alam was quoted as saying.

Australia,who have won their last 11 Tests against Pakistan,are only expected to make one change to their side,with Simon Katich likely to return after an arm injury. Phillip Hughes,who filled in for Katich in Sydney,has been released from the squad to play for New South Wales,while Clint McKay will be the Australian 12th man for the fourth consecutive Test match.

Though their line-up looks far more settled than that of the visitors,captain Ricky Ponting still has a few worries with the form of his middle order as he,Michael Clarke and Marcus North have two fifties each from six Tests this summer. No such worries for the openers though,with Shane Watson collecting 579 runs in the last five Tests at 72.37.