Pakistan enter Edgbaston Test depleted after sweeping squad changes
\n KARACHI
\nPakistan head into the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston on Wednesday with their preparations clouded by a string of omissions that have left the touring side short of experience and facing the prospect of a first Test-series clean sweep in England.
\nEngland lead the series and have a chance to complete a 3-0 victory, something they have failed to achieve against Pakistan on home soil despite coming close twice.
\nEngland won four of five Tests in 1962 but Pakistan drew one match to avoid a sweep. In 2006, England won three of four, with another draw again denying them a clean sweep.
\nThe opportunity is now firmly in England\u2019s hands, with Pakistan entering the Birmingham Test after a difficult period in which seven players and two key coaches were left out of the touring party following the defeat at Lord\u2019s.
\nThe changes have left head coach Mike Hesson working with a squad that must be rebuilt quickly before the series finale.
\nPakistan have spent the last few days training in Birmingham, where Hesson will be looking to settle on a combination capable of competing with an England attack that has consistently tested their batting.
\nThe absence of wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan, injured opener Imam-ul-Haq and Agha Salman has opened several positions in the side.
\nSaim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal and wicket-keeper Mohammad Ghazi Ghori are among those available to fill the gaps. Ghori, who has played four one-day internationals, is expected to make his Test debut.
\nSaim\u2019s return will be closely watched. The left-hander last featured in a Test against South Africa in Cape Town in January 2025 but did not bat after suffering an ankle injury that kept him out of international cricket for an extended period.
\nAbdullah Fazal, meanwhile, has played two Tests against Bangladesh. He made an encouraging start with half-centuries in the first Test in Mirpur but struggled in Sylhet while batting at number three.
\nHesson could opt for limited changes in Birmingham, bringing in one additional batter alongside a new wicket-keeper rather than making wholesale alterations to a struggling team.
\nPakistan\u2019s batting has been the major concern on the tour. Saud Shakeel\u2019s determined 97 in the second innings at Lord\u2019s and Azan Awais\u2019s 46 in the first innings were among a few substantial contributions.
\nThe bowling attack has offered greater encouragement. Mohammad Abbas has been Pakistan\u2019s most consistent bowler, while Mohammad Ali has provided valuable support.
\nYoung fast bowler Ubaid Shah could also come into consideration. Quicker than Abbas and Ali, the 20-year-old has already played a Test on Pakistan\u2019s West Indies tour and has had time to adjust to the conditions in England.
\nHesson has spin options in Sajid Khan and Arafat Minhas.
\nPakistan\u2019s task is made harder by England\u2019s strong record at Edgbaston. The two teams have played seven Tests at the venue, with England winning five and the other two ending in draws.
\nFor England, victory would not only complete the series but also end a long wait for a clean sweep over Pakistan on home soil.
\nFor Pakistan, it is an opportunity to halt a deteriorating campaign before the changes made to the squad become the defining story of their tour.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pakistan enter Edgbaston Test depleted after sweeping squad changes KARACHI Pakistan head into the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston on Wednesday with their preparations clouded by a string of omissions that have left the touring side short of experience and facing the prospect of a first Test-series clean sweep in England. England […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":565929,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-565919","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n