Swepson favoured for emotional Test debut

Mitchell Swepson is the frontrunner to be handed an emotional Test debut just a week after the death of mentor Shane Warne, as Australia lean towards two spinners for Karachi.

Australia's preparations for Saturday's second Test began even before the dour first contest in Rawalpindi was complete, with Pat Cummins resting quicks in Pakistan's second innings.

Cummins then admitted the team was already strongly considering playing two frontline spinners in the final two Tests of the series, after calling on part-timers to assist Nathan Lyon in the opener.

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Realistically selections would not have changed the outcome of the first Test, after Pakistan finished the match 0-252 in their second innings on a wicket that offered nothing for quicks.

But Australian officials are expecting Karachi to be different, with Rawalpindi previously identified as the one pace-friendly pitch.

"From our intel in Karachi and Lahore a second spinner is probably the way to go, but we'll have a look," Cummins said.

"It may have been may have been helpful here (in Rawalpindi) but I don't think it would have made too much of a difference.

"We were expecting more up-and-down bounce and reverse swing (that didn't come)."

When asked if Australia would likely opt for a wrist spinner in the form of Swepson to partner Nathan Lyon, rather than another finger spinner in Ashton Agar, Cummins indicated it would be the case.

"It is an asset for sure having a wrist spinner, it's something a bit different. And Sweppo has been bowling beautifully," Cummins said.

"We'll get to Karachi and have a look. But absolutely Sweppo as a wrist spinner is a huge chance if we play two."

If Australia were to go