Richard Pybus has been hired for his third stint as coach of Pakistan, following the sacking of Mudassar Nazar. Mudassar was sacked after Pakistan turned in some dismal performances in their last three one-day tournaments, including a comprehensive defeat by Sri Lanka which put them out of the Champions Trophy. Pybus, English-born but South African-based, will be in charge until next year's World Cup. He was first appointed as Pakistan's coach in the 1999-2000 season, but was sacked after their 3-0 defeat in the Test series in Australia. He was then re-hired before Pakistan's short 2001 tour of England, but that ended on an acrimonious note when he expressed concern about travelling to Pakistan following the events of September 11.

Pybus, 38, could not have asked for a tougher first assignment: Pakistan face Australia in a three-Test series, which starts with a match in Colombo on October 3, and then moves on to Sharjah for the last two Tests. And as if the quality of the opposition wasn't stiff enough, Pakistan's team will be significantly weakened by the absence of four of their best players – Wasim Akram and Saeed Anwar have opted out, while Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana will miss out due to injuries.

With so many established players missing, Pakistan had no option but to plump for youth. Imran Farhat – an opener who played two Tests in New Zealand last year - and Hasan Raza, the youngest man to play Test cricket, were both recalled. Mohammad Zahid, the right-arm fast bowler, was also included, but will have to pass a fitness test first. There was no room for Shahid Afridi, though.

Wasim Bari, the chief selector, and Pybus sought to play down the absence of so many star players. "This is the start of a rebuilding process of the Pakistan team," said Wasim, "and we were forced to start this slightly earlier as we are missing some senior players.

"Wasim and Anwar's decisions are personal and we can't help it, and the Pakistan Cricket Board gave us a list of players not available for the series. They [the squad] are a good bunch of talented cricketers and we hope they will put up a better show."

Pybus saw it as a chance for the lesser names to make a mark. "Obviously it's disappointing to lose some senior players but it's a great opportunity for younger players to make their mark and begin a new future for Pakistan cricket. Australia are a great team and it will be a tremendous challenge but we will play positive cricket."

Squad Imran Farhat, Imran Nazir, Taufiq Umer, Misbah-ul-Haq, Faisal Iqbal, Younis Khan, Hasan Raza, Abdul Razzaq, Rana Naveedul Hasan, Waqar Younis (capt), Shoaib Akhtar, Rashid Latif, Saqlain Mushtaq, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Zahid.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd