Australia select three debutants but Renshaw overlooked

Skipper Tim Paine said on Saturday Renshaw, with 11 Tests to his credit, had been overlooked only because of a lack of practice.

"He hasn't had enough cricket. The decision was made there to go with Marnus. He has had a bit of an unlucky run with injuries. He missed a game in India (on Australia A tour) and then got hit in the head and couldn't bat in the last game," he said.

"A decision was made that he just hasn't played enough cricket. Marnus has been playing quite a bit of cricket on the (India) A tour. He is in really good form and deserves his chance."

However, Renshaw, who was back in the nets on Friday and being peppered with short balls, has been told by selectors that he remains a key part of their plans for the home summer.

"Absolutely. I think he was told that yesterday. As I said, this is a team that we have picked for these conditions. I think it's the best team to win this Test. And in terms of going forward, Matt Renshaw is a still a huge part of the plans of this team," Paine said.

As they did in the warm-up clash, Usman Khawaja will open the batting alongside Finch, who finally gets his chance at the elite level. Khawaja has experience in opening, and even thumped a century against South Africa in Adelaide in that role.

"He has opened a little bit through his career. Right at the moment he is in a really good spot and is batting well for us. It wouldn't matter to Usman where he is batting at the moment. He is in really good touch," Paine said.

Ready for its first series since the tumult of South Africa, Australia will have Shaun Marsh bat at No. 3, vice-captain Mitchell Marsh at No. 4, with Head and Labuschagne at No. 5 and 6.

"Marnus has been fantastic around the group. He brings a lot of energy. He is a bit of a triple threat - he is great in the field and he bowls handy leg spin, which I think will surprise some people and he is a really skilful, talented batsman," Paine said.

The skipper said the tourists were ready to move on from the events of Cape Town, as they seek their first series win in Asia since 2011.

"There has been a lot of talk over the last four, five months. It's great now that we are on a new tour. We have a new group, so it hasn't been something that has come up a hell of a lot," he said.

"The guys are really excited by the challenge that has been presented to us over here. Australian teams haven't had a heap of success over here so it's a really exciting challenge for this group. It's a group that a lot of people haven't given a huge chance to. That's something drives us and something that excites us."

Paine said he would look to have both teams shake hands before play on day one in a sign of goodwill - but a final call would be made by Pakistan.

The host nation has picked an 18-man squad, with Paine declaring the tourists were ready for any surprise selections.

"They can be a bit unpredictable. That's one of their strengths as well. We have put a lot of time into researching a lot of their players," he said.

Paine said the tourists were intent on playing the "patience game".

"A real key for us, as I said, is the patience game. Over here, we will change a little bit the way Australian teams have played. We are always an aggressive type of cricket side. Obviously, that hasn't worked over here in the past. It's a great opportunity for us to show we are prepared to change the way we play and adapt to different conditions," he said.

Australian team: Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Tim Paine (c), Mitch Starc, Peter Siddle, Jon Holland, Nathan Lyon.