Pakistan, leading the series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Abu Dhabi, brought in opener Mohammad Hafeez and paceman Mohammad Talha for Taufeeq Umar and Ehsan Adil.
Seamer Adil suffered a side strain after playing the second Test in Dubai, which ended in a draw. Hafeez missed the second Test with a hamstring injury.
New Zealand replaced all-rounder Jimmy Neesham with veteran left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori who is playing his 112th Test -- a national record -- and his first since July 2012,
Vettori, 35, whose back problems have confined him to limited-overs matches, beats the 111 caps compiled by former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming.
Teams:
Pakistan: Misbah-ul Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed, Zulfiqar Babar, Yasir Shah.
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (capt), Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Corey Anderson, BJ Watling, Daniel Vettori, Mark Craig, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Ish Sodhi.
Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS) and Paul Reiffel (AUS)
TV umpire: Ranmore Martinesz (SRI)
Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)