Pakistan captain Waqar Younis, without the services of his leading players, hopes his youthful side can rise to the challenge of facing the number one side in the world on Thursday when Pakistan and Australia meet in the opening game of a three-Test series at Colombo.

Australia, reunited with the Waugh twins who have warmed up for the tour by playing county cricket in England, are firm favourites as they start a new Test season but Waqar, who admits that his side are "immature and inexperienced," is hoping that Pakistan can live up to their reputation for the unpredictable with a surprise victory.

"The young boys which we have here are talented and probably the best available. Naturally, any captain would feel uncomfortable going into a Test series without experienced players, but I have complete confidence in the abilities of these youngsters," said Waqar.

"I agree that Australia are a formidable team but this Pakistan team is also well-focused and training hard for the upcoming games," he added. "I know that the people have completely ruled us out but I have been member of Pakistan teams that have won games against all odds or when the chips were down."

New coach Richard Pybus, 38, a former minor counties player for Suffolk who comes back for his fourth stint in charge after the sacking of Mudassar Nazar, argued that the competition for places within the Pakistan side could be beneficial.

"The Aussies are a good side but they are only 11 human beings," said Pybus. "This is a new chapter in Pakistan cricket. Some of the senior players are coming to the end of their careers and the subsequent competition for places can only be healthy – there is no comfort zone."

Nevertheless, Waqar admitted on Tuesday night to not knowing the final XI that would play, revealing that he knew very little about some of the new players in the squad.

"One or two of the players are new to me, although I do know the capabilities of most of the guys from domestic cricket back home," he said. "I don't know what side we will play at the moment – all I know is that I will be playing! We will have to have a good look at the wicket first."

Pakistan's biggest problem is their batting, where they are without Inzamam-ul-Haq (heel injury), Yousuf Youhana (shoulder injury) and Saeed Anwar (unavailable). Their top six in their warm-up game against West Indies last week – Imran Nazir, Taufeeq Umar, Imran Farhat, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Faisal Iqbal – contained a total of just 45 caps between them.

However, the bowling remains potent, even without Wasim Akram who chose to sit out the series. Assuming that Pakistan decide to play two spinners, Saqlain Mushtaq and Danish Kaneria, then Waqar will have to pick two from Shoaib Akhtar, Abdul Razzaq and Mohammad Sami. Razzaq may have to bat in the top six to bolster the batting.

Steve Waugh, 37, back at the helm after Ricky Ponting led the one-day team, was also wary of Pakistan's untested youngsters: "Generally, with the other countries, you know what you're going to get, but with Pakistan, I think half the time they don't even know themselves what they've got among their team-mates. This is a big challenge, Pakistan are always a good side."

Australia have the option of playing two spinners with off-spinner Nathan Hauritz in the squad, but look set to back their fearsome pace bowling attack, playing Glen McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee.

The batting picks itself with Justin Langer, another player excluded from the one-day team, opening the innings with the inform Matthew Hayden and the Waugh twins slipping into the middle order.

Steve Waugh played down the fact that the three newcomers come into the side without having sufficient time to adapt to the conditions in Colombo, particularly the P. Saravanamuttu pitch which is expected to assist the fast bowlers on the first morning before becoming a typical slow Sri Lankan turner.

"There is no great preparation for a Test series anymore," said Waugh. "Even when you are touring a country you may only play one 3-day game. You just have to get used to that. It is more of a mindset thing than adjusting your technique. In Tests you need more patience and it's all about mental preparation."

Australia (from): Steve Waugh (capt), Adam Gilchrist (wk), Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Mark Waugh, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn, Shane Warne, Nathan Hauritz, Andy Bichel, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath.

Pakistan (from): Waqar Younis (capt), Imran Nazir, Taufeeq Umar, Faisal Iqbal, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Abdul Razzaq, Rashid Latif (wk), Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria, Naved-ul-Hasan, Imran Farhat, Mohammad Zahid, Hasan Raza.

© CricInfo Ltd.