KARACHI: Pakistan will look to salvage some pride when they face in-form England in the third and final Test at Edgbaston on Wednesday after a turbulent week that brought sweeping changes to their squad and coaching staff.
England lead the three-match series 2-0 after comprehensive victories at Headingley and Lord’s, leaving Pakistan with little more than a chance to avoid a series whitewash.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent seven players home following the defeat at Lord’s, bringing several fresh faces into a squad already under pressure. Captain Babar Azam said his players are eager to make an impact.
“Couple of new faces are coming and we are excited and will play good cricket in this Test match,” Babar told reporters on Tuesday.
Pakistan lost the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs before suffering a 194-run defeat at Lord’s. Their batting has been particularly disappointing, with the team managing scores of only 171, 135, 110 and 194 in their last four innings on the tour.
Babar defended the combination selected for the Lord’s Test, saying the team had considered the pitch and conditions before settling on its XI.
“In the last Test we did not play well as a team in all three departments,” he said. “At that time we played the best combination after taking into account the conditions and the pitch. But we could not produce the desired result.”
Asked about his own form, Babar pointed to his previous success.
“If you talk about the performance, in the last series I was man of the series,” he said.
The captain said the upheaval could provide an opportunity for younger players to establish themselves.
“There are no difficulties but opportunities for youngsters to express themselves,” Babar said.
He added that Edgbaston had been a fortunate venue for him and hoped that would continue in Test cricket also.
Pakistan’s preparations have been complicated by changes to the coaching setup. Mike Hesson, who had been working as the team’s white-ball coach, has taken charge of the red-ball side following Sarfaraz Ahmed’s removal. Bowling coach Umar Gul was also removed after the Lord’s defeat.
Ashley Noffke has been tasked with working with Pakistan’s bowlers ahead of the final Test.
Young fast bowlers Razaullah, Mohammad Imran Junior, Imran Randhawa and Ubaid Shah underwent extensive training under Noffke during the team’s recent sessions. Razaullah was also seen working on his batting.
Wet weather forced Pakistan to train indoors on some occasions, although the players were also able to practise outdoors. Cooler conditions and rain in Birmingham on Tuesday could influence team selection.
Pakistan are expected to bring at least one seamer into the XI after Khurram Shahzad was sent home, while left-arm spinner Ali Usman has also departed. If conditions remain overcast, Pakistan could field four specialist fast bowlers.
Mohammad Abbas is expected to lead the attack, with Mohammad Ali having impressed with his accuracy during the series. Sajid Khan and young Arafat Minhas provide spin options.
Mohammad Ghazi Ghori is expected to make his Test debut in place of Mohammad Rizwan, while prolific opener Saim Ayub could return to Test cricket for the first time since January 2025, replacing Imam-ul-Haq.
England, meanwhile, may rotate their bowling resources ahead of a white-ball series against Sri Lanka beginning on September 15. Jofra Archer, Ollie Robinson, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue have formed a formidable pace attack in the series, although Robinson is the only one of the quartet not involved in the upcoming white-ball campaign.
A victory at Edgbaston would give England their first home Test series sweep against Pakistan on their home soil.
