Pakistan, 1-0 up after their nine-wicket win in the second Test in Dubai, kept the same combination of two pacemen and two spinners.

Sri Lanka brought in 26-year-old paceman Kosala Kulasekara for his first Test and off-spinner Suraj Randiv, dropping opener Lahiru Thirimanne and fast bowler Suranga Lakmal. Dilshan was to open the innings.

The first Test ended as draw in Abu Dhabi.

The Test is the first to be held in Sharjah since 2002.

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Adnan Akmal, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Umar Gul, Junaid Khan.

Sri Lanka: Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Angelo Mathews, Tharanga Paranavitana, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Rangana Herath, Suraj Randiv, Chanaka Welegedara, Kosala Kulasekara, Dhammika Prasad, Kaushal Silva.

Umpires: Simon Taufel (NZL) and Shahvir Tarapore (IND)

Tv umpire: Shozaib Raza (PAK)

Match referee: David Boon (AUS)