England captain Joe Root won the toss and opted to field first in the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Wednesday. The hosts, who lead the three-match series 2-0 following a 194-run victory at Lord’s, have opted to remain unchanged for this final encounter.
Pakistan has undergone a significant overhaul following their recent defeat, sending seven players home and introducing five uncapped replacements. The team management also dismissed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul, appointing white-ball coach Mike Hesson to lead a Test squad that has struggled recently, losing 15 of its last 20 matches.
The tourists made four changes to their starting lineup, handing debuts to wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori, all-rounder Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and seamer Razaullah. Additionally, Saim Ayub replaced opener Imam-ul Haq, who was sidelined due to a calf strain sustained during the previous match.
Addressing the team’s recent turbulence, Pakistan captain Babar Azam stated, “The outside noise is not in our control. We are just trying to prepare for this game and look after ourselves in this group.” He also praised the new coaching staff, noting, “Mike Hesson has helped a lot. He is experienced and has a lot of knowledge. We have good communication.”
Root expressed confidence in his decision to bowl, citing the overcast conditions at Edgbaston. “(We) like the overhead conditions,” he explained. “It looks a very good pitch but… I feel like it’s the best chance of getting the most out of it.”
Match Officials
- TV Umpire: Allahudien Paleker (RSA)
- Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)
- On-field Umpires: Chris Gaffaney (NZL) and Paul Reiffel (AUS)
Teams
England: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (capt), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (wkt), Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue.
Pakistan: Azan Awais, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (capt), Saud Shakeel, Ghazi Ghori (wkt), Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Razaullah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abbas.
Important Details
- The report also notes that agence France-Presse.
