ENG vs PAK: Babar Azam’s Pakistan names 3 debutants for third Test against England; Joe Root goes with unchanged team
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam made as many as four changes in his squad, including three debutants, against England in the third and final Test on Wednesday at the Edgbaston, Birmingham. Having already lost the Test series after defeats in the first Two games, Pakistan are looking for a positive end to the tour, that was marred by several off-field issues.
Pakistan lost the first Test by an innings and 103 runs in Leeds. That was followed by another heavy defeat at Lord’s in the second game – by 194 runs. Following the Lord’s Test loss, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made wholesome changes, axing as many as seven players and two coaches.
Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were the players, who were asked to return home. Among the replacements were five uncapped players and two capped batters – Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal.
Among the coaches PCB removed were Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. As a replacement, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke were drafted to take charge at Edgbaston.
Pakistan’s debutants in 3rd Test vs England
The debutants for Pakistan are Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah. Ayub, who makes a return to the Test playing XI, has already a veteran of eight matches for Pakistan. Both Randhawa and Razaullah are right-arm pace bowling all-rounders.
Ghori, who had been a part of Pakistan’s Test squad in England in the first two games, also got his maiden Test cap and replaced wicketkeeper Mohammed Rizwan behind the stumps. Ayub has replaced Imam-ul-Haq at the top of the batting order.
Babar Azam’s reaction on 7 changes
Babar Azam admitted he was blindsided by the decision to tear up his squad ahead of this week’s final Test against England, saying the drastic cull was “news to me.” The Pakistan skipper learned of the wholesale changes only after an official PCB statement.
“It was news to me,” Babar said in Urdu. “I found out after. “The PCB decided it, so they will be able to explain better. The PCB’s decision must have been taken after some thought process. It’s better if you ask them why.” Meanwhile, England captain Joe Root went with an unchanged side.
England vs Pakistan 3rd Test playing XIs
Pakistan: Azan Awais, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Babar Azam(c), Saud Shakeel, Ghazi Ghori(w), Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali
England: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root(c), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith(w), Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue