The team would, however, be short-listed on Wednesday after watching the Test pitch and fitness of Mohammad Zahid and Waqar Younis, chief selector Wasim Bari told a news conference at the National Stadium on Sunday.
The heart-warming news is that Saqlain Mushtaq is in the team after he confirmed his availability to Bari on Sunday morning.
"Saqlain Mushtaq told me in the afternoon that his father is feeling much better. He will be arriving Rawalpindi from the first available flight," Bari informed newsmen.
Saqlain's confirmation left no room for selection of Arshad Khan but left-arm spinner Mohammad Husain was drafted in the side. Husain, who played just one first-class match last season, did not tour Africa earlier this year for Test matches. He was called for one-dayers only.
Pacemen Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, and middle-order batsman Mohammad Wasim have also earned the selectors nod after missing the Sahara Cup earlier this month.
"Waqar Younis has shown improvement and we are confident that he would get better," Bari said.
The only omission from the Sahara Cup squad is that of Abdul Razzak.
Bari said his committee had been forced to pick 18 players because they wanted to avoid last-minute hassles. "Waqar's participation is still unconfirmed, Zahid has a toe injury while Saqlain has yet to reach Rawalpindi.
"On Wednesday, the picture would be clear about the availability of three players and the state of the wicket," said the chief selector.
The former Pakistan captain stated that the 18 have been picked from that list which was approved by the executive council last month. "Our job is to pick the best team considering the available players, requirements of the game and opposition.
"It is not our portfolio to decide if any of the players don't deserve selection because they have been accused of being involved in foul play," he added with reference to three star cricketers against whom betting and match-fixing investigations are being carried out.
"Australia are the best team along with South Africa and we are determined to field the best team against them."
Bari clarified that it was not necessary that the teams for the second and third Tests would be selected from these 18 players. "In home series, every player is available for selection and we have kept our options open."
The chief selector said that the team for the Dhaka mini-World Cup would be finalized in the near future.
Team:
Aamir Sohail (captain), Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Salim Malik, Ijaz Ahmad, Mohammad Wasim, Yousuf Yohanna, Moin Khan (wicketkeeper), Azhar Mahmood, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Mohammad Zahid, Shoaib Akhtar, Aqib Javed, Mushtaq Ahmad, Saqlain Mushtaq and Mohammad Husain.