Pakistan's original plans for a three-pronged spin attack have been rocked by the news allrounder Mohammad Hafeez will be out of action for two weeks with a hand injury.
The offspinner was hurt during fielding training on Friday and has been ruled out of Sunday's Twenty20 clash with Australia in Dubai, to be followed by a three-match ODI series starting on Tuesday.
Pakistan are already reeling from the absence of their No.1 spinner Saeed Ajmal because of a chucking ban.
"Mohammad Hafeez has a big cut and he had five stitches in his left palm," Pakistan's team manager Moin Khan told AAP on Saturday.
"He will be out for another couple of weeks.
"It's very unfortunate."
Pakistan's T20 skipper, legspinner Shahid Afridi, is the sole remaining member of the big three for Sunday's game.
"We all know the importance of Saeed Ajmal," Afridi told reporters on Thursday.
"The combination of Saeed Ajmal, myself and Mohammad Hafeez, we have really done well as spinners.
"As a captain if I look through our bowling lineup, we'll miss Saeed Ajmal but we have a very good bunch of guys.
"Raza Hasan is a very talented guy."
Afridi told his official pre-match media conference on Saturday that Hafeez's injury would be a good opportunity for one of the squad's talented youngsters to grab his chance.
"Mohammad Hafeez, he always plays a key role for Pakistan," Afridi said.
"As a captain I'm very confident with these guys. You can't underestimate these youngsters so I'm very positive."
