Misbah-ul Haq rests as Australia bat in final one-day

Abu Dhabi: Pakistan`s regular captain Misbah-ul Haq withdrew himself as Australia won the toss and decided to bat in the third and final day-night international at Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Sunday.

Misbah was under pressure in the wake of team`s first two defeats and was not in the best of form, scoring nought and 15.

Shahid Afridi leads the side in Misbah`s absence.

Team management said Misbah rested himself and offered to withdraw.

Pakistan made four changes from the side which lost the second match in Dubai by five wickets, with Misbah, injured paceman Wahab Riaz, Umar Akmal and Raza Hasan all out.

In comes Sohaib Maqsood, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Amin and Anwar Ali as Pakistan look to avoid a 3-0 clean sweep.

Australia, who won the first match in Sharjah by 93 runs, brought in Mitchell Starc and Phil Hughes for Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Lyon.

Teams:

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (capt), Ahmed Shahzad, Umar Amin, Fawad Alam, Asad Shafiq, Sohaib Maqsood, Sarfraz Ahmed, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar, Sohail Tanvir.

Australia: George Bailey (capt), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Phil Hughes, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, James Faulkner, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Xavier Doherty.

Umpires: Richard Illingworth (ENG) and Ahsan Raza (PAK)

TV umpire: Nigel Llong (ENG)

Match referee: Javagal Srinath (IND)