Abbott recalled as Aussies ditch twin-spin ploy in Perth

Sean Abbott will play his first international in more than five years as Australia made two changes to their XI in the third Gillette Series T20 International against Pakistan in Perth.

Captain Aaron Finch won the toss and elected to bowl first on a Perth Stadium pitch he said he expected to have some early moisture, with Pakistan skipper Babar Azam indicating he would also have bowled first had the coin fallen his way.

Australia were forced into one change with talismanic paceman Pat Cummins rested from the long flight west to remain in Sydney and prepare for the coming Domain Test Series, with the first match against Pakistan at the Gabba from November 21. 

But the home side opted to ditch Adam Zampa as well, leaving local hero Ashton Agar as the sole front-line spinner in the side as they opted for a four-prong pace attack. 

Towering Queensland quick Billy Stanlake comes into the XI for his second match of the summer after playing as Mitchell Starc's stand-in during the second T20 against Sri Lanka at the Gabba. 

And Abbott, who was a late addition to this squad following the injury to AJ Tye, makes his first appearance in Australian colours since a T20 against South Africa on November 9, 2014 - one day short of five years ago. He had made his debut in both T20 and ODI cricket the previous month when he played Pakistan in the UAE.

Tye injured his elbow in a fielding drill ahead of the first Gillette T20 International against Sri Lanka, and had surgery on the joint this week.

Pakistan also rung the changes with four changes to their side.

Fakhar Zaman, Asif Ali, Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Irfan were all rested by the Pakistanis. 

In their place came Imam Ul Haq, the big-hitting Khushdil Shah, and teenager firebrand quicks Muhammad Musa and Mohammad Hasnain.   

Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Billy Stanlake.

Pakistan XI: Imam Ul Haq, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Musa

Gillette T20 INTLs v Pakistan

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir.

November 3: First T20I, SCG, No result

November 5: Second T20I, Manuka Oval, Australia won by seven wickets

November 8: Third T20I, Perth Stadium, 4.30pm (Fox & Kayo)