Maxwell on the mend for one-day opener

Glenn Maxwell has firmed to resume his place in Australia's one-day side, sweating out the effects of the flu on the eve of their series-opener against Pakistan.

Aaron Finch said Australia had yet to settle on an XI for the first game of the five-ODI series in the United Arab Emirates, with the opening two matches to be played in Sharjah.

At an optional training session on Thursday, a perky Maxwell had an extended hit against spin after missing the previous day's session due to illness.

"He's at training today, just a bit of flu that kept him away from training," Finch said of Maxwell. "I think he's going to do a pretty good batting session today.

"But in terms of the XI, nothing yet. Greg (Chappell, Australia's duty selector) has just got here.

"I haven't spoken to him yet I'm sure once we get out and have a look at the wicket for the last time today, we'll be able to make calls."

Australia are likely to stick with dual spinners in Adam Zampa and Nathan Lyon, as the visitors prepare for what they expect to be a low, turning pitch.

Whether they take the chance early in the series to rest Pat Cummins remains to be seen, with Finch flagging that medical staff will be keeping a close eye on their fast bowlers throughout their final major campaign before the World Cup.

Cummins, with 14 scalps at 16, was Australia's leading wicket taker in their comeback series triumph in India.

"With the bowlers coming off the back of a long summer, a pretty quick India series and then a couple of days off … I think there will be a little bit of monitoring them and seeing how they're going," Finch said.

"It's just been a long summer for a lot of guys. I think it will just be a game to game basis on how they're tracking, how they're flagging with all their markers.

"He (Cummins) has shown over the last couple of years how durable he's become but also his skills are extraordinary. In all forms of cricket, he's just getting the job done. He's been unbelievable.

"His resilience especially after so many (injuries) – he probably had a lot of doubts in his own mind about how long he could push through before he gets a niggle again."

Pakistan could blood numerous debutants, with uncapped opener Shan Masood a strong chance to play while exciting teenage paceman Mohammad Hasnain and star Test quick Mohammad Abbas are also both in the mix.

The 'hosts' have rested several of their first-choice players including captain Sarfraz Ahmed, gun ODI bat Babar Azam and quick Hasan Ali.

But fill-in skipper Shoaib Malik won't accept inexperience as an excuse for defeat.

"If you look at both squads, of course the Australian team is well experienced and what they've done against India in India, their morale is high," said Malik.

"But I'm not one of those who looks for excuses. We have enough strength in our dressing room to take on the Australian team.

"I have full backing (for) my players even though they're quite young – they're highly talented and confident guys."

Qantas Tour of the UAE

First ODI: v Pakistan, March 22 in Sharjah

Second ODI: v Pakistan, March 24 in Sharjah

Third ODI: v Pakistan, March 27 in Abu Dhabi

Fourth ODI: v Pakistan, March 29 in Dubai

Fifth ODI: v Pakistan, March 31 in Dubai

(all matches begin at 10pm AEDT)