Even with the resting Mitchell Starc unavailable, Australia believe their bowlers will be a handful for the Pakistani batsmen, who have been hot and cold throughout the tour.

Pakistan's batsmen subdued Australia's pace brigade to run down Australia's modest total on a two-paced MCG wicket, but they are likely to find conditions at the WACA more difficult.

Australia are set to again use a four-pronged pace attack with giant Queensland Billy Stanlake favoured to come in for Starc ahead of leg-spinner Adam Zampa. Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell can provide spin options for  Steve Smith if variety is needed.

Stanlake will be eager to make a better fist of his second international game after being limited to just three overs on debut in Brisbane. In Stanlake, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Australia will have three players capable of getting close to the 150 km/h mark. "We always love playing over here in Perth. The guys said it wasn't a traditional Gabba wicket. They said it didn't have as much pace as usual. It will be good to get out there and see the ball fly through," Hazlewood said.

"We know they've got a couple of good quicks. But we know their batters don't like that extra bounce and pace. Hopefully it's nice and quick."

Australia's batsmen are yet to click this series with concerns over the form of the top order. They were rescued by Matthew Wade in the first game but fell well short on Sunday. Recent changes have not helped though Hazlewood said it was not an excuse for the team's poor starts.

While discarded pair Aaron Finch and George Bailey have been an integral part of the team in the past few years, the top three of Usman Khawaja, David Warner and Smith are Australia's best batsmen by a considerable margin.

"I think it's just good bowling first of all. The two left-armers at the top have bowled pretty well in both games, especially [Mohammad] Amir in the first game. Then they've tightened the screws with their spinners," Hazlewood said.

"We've been working on that and coming up with a plan. Each batter is a little bit different with their own plans. they'll definitely be looking to rectify the first two games on Thursday."

Australia have made mass changes to their squad but unlike the heavy turnover during the Test series against South Africa this shake-up has been made with one eye on India rather than due to poor form. Peter Handscomb is in line to make his one-day international debut though selectors could also opt for all-rounder Marcus Stoinis as a like-for-like replacement for the injured Mitchell Marsh. The game in Perth will be the last chance to impress selectors before they name a squad for the Chappell-Hadlee series in New Zealand.

If Pakistan's belief of an unlikely series victory is not already high, it will soar after Thursday if they were to knock off the World Cup titleholders. The remaining games are at the SCG and Adelaide Oval – both pitches which they will not be daunted by.

"I personally believed before coming to this tour that we could beat any team in the world in shorter formats, because our team combination is very good," said spin-bowling all-rounder Imad Wasim.

"No.8 in the world ... that's the ranking, but our side is better than that.

"If you don't believe you can beat any opposition, there's no point coming here.

"We are here to beat them. We are here to play good cricket. We are here to fight."