Pakistan Test batsman Younis Khan will make his debut for Australian state side South Australia in their Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales starting in Adelaide on Friday.

Younis arrived last week to join South Australia after completing international commitments with the Pakistan team in Canada.

Captain Graham Manou said he expected Younus to provide the "x factor" for his team this southern summer after a series of dismal performances by the state team in recent years.

South Australia began the new season with a one-day loss to Victoria last week followed by a draw in the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria.

Younis, 30, has scored 4816 runs in 58 Tests at an average of 49.14 with 15 centuries and has played 175 ODIs for Pakistan since 2000.