Pakistan have received a huge boost ahead of their must-win ODI clash against Australia in Sydney, with skipper Azhar Ali set to return from a hamstring injury.
Ali has easily been Pakistan's best batsman of the tour, highlighted by his unbeaten 205 in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
After undergoing a fitness test at the SCG on Saturday afternoon, the 31-year-old is expected to slot back into the line-up on Sunday after missing the last two matches.
"He's done all the rehab and everything. He himself pretty much sure he'll play and the physio is sure he will play," bowling coach Azhar Mahmood said.
Out-of-form batsman Asad Shafiq is the man most likely to make way for Ali, having scored just five and 13 in his two knocks so far in the series.
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Mahmood said there was no doubting Shafiq's future as a long-term fixture in the ODI team.
"It's just a matter of being consistent in the one-day side. He's been playing in Test match cricket and is settled at number six. He's done wonders for Pakistan cricket," he said.
"In terms of one-day cricket, he has to play more consistently and get his numbers right. He's got all the shots, everything, as an international player."
The hosts could make three changes to the side that easily accounted for Pakistan in Perth, with Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis all in the frame to enter the team.
Starc was rested for the most recent match, while Zampa has been kept with the squad despite his Melbourne Stars in action against the Sydney Sixers on Saturday night.
Mahmood knows Zampa well from their time at the Sydney Thunder in 2012-13, but remains confident in Pakistan's ability to perform against spin bowling.
"He's a quality bowler. I rate him highly. If he plays, we play spin well. We need to keep rotating our strike against him and not give him any wickets," Mahmood said.
Zampa earlier on Saturday said players would have no problems putting country before club, despite the Stars' finals hopes being on the line against the Sixers.
His comments come after former England cricketer and Stars batsman Kevin Pietersen blasted Australia's scheduling clash with the BBL.
"The players would be used to it by now. It's happened for the last six BBLs," Zampa said.
"The comments yesterday with (Marcus) Stoinis not being released, (the selectors) obviously see that he's a chance now to play in Sydney, which is great for Marcus and great for myself to hopefully have that opportunity in Sydney and Adelaide."
