Having made wholesale changes to their squad, Pakistan will have a massive selection task on their hands for the final Test of the series.
The players that eventually make the XI will be under immense pressure to put their best foot forward after two embarrassing defeats and the chaos that ensued.Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were all released following the 194-run drubbing in the Lord’s Test.
Seven players were called in to replace them, but how many of them will make the playing XI?Pakistan squad for the third Test vs England: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Ubaid Shah.How will the batting lineup look?Pakistan haven’t crossed the 200 run-mark in any of their four innings in England so far, managing scores of 171, 135, 110 and 194.
There is every chance that the top six
But there is every chance that the top six will see just one change. Azan Awais, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel have all got recent big scores, and look unlikely to be left out, along with captain Babar Azam. But with Imam-ul-Haq sent back home, Saim Ayub, who last played a Test for Pakistan in January 2025, could take the vacant opening spot.Ayub doesn’t have great numbers in Test cricket yet, with only 364 runs in 14 innings at 26, and a top score of 77.
But he recently scored a T20 century in the Caribbean Premier League, playing for Jamaica Kingsmen, before receiving an SOS to join the Test squad in England. Pakistan are expected to dish out an all-pace bowling attack after sending Ali Usman home, and Saim could be their only spin-bowling option in the XI.Who replaces Mohammad Rizwan?Pakistan are expected to get in Ghazi Ghori to take up Rizwan’s spot.
19-year-old Saad Baig is the other wicketkeeping option, and scored 1000 runs at 55.55 for champions Karachi Region Blues in the last edition of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. But with Ghazi already in the squad, and having played international cricket for Pakistan (four ODIs this year), he will most probably get the nod. He averages 41.26 after 46 first-class innings, having amassed 1692 runs so far with three centuries and 10 fifties.Which bowlers will make the cut?Mohammad Imran Randhawa is expected to be picked for his all-round qualities.
The right-arm quick is more than handy
The right-arm quick is more than handy with the bat, and has over a decade of first-class experience. He has scored 2255 runs at 26.52 in 90 FC innings, with two centuries and 10 fifties, while also accounting for 110 wickets at 34.83, with four five-fors and will most likely pip Razaullah, who made his FC debut less than a year ago.The visitors faced a lot of flak for their medium-pace bowling, and thus look all but certain to play 20-year-old quick Ubaid Shah, who made his Test debut on the tour of West Indies.
He possesses the ability to hit 140 kph and will be a breath of fresh air in the Pakistan bowling attack.Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali are expected to be retained, having impressed on the tour so far.
While Abbas has been Pakistan’s best bowler, with 10 wickets at 20.80, Ali has also fared decently, accounting for six wickets so far.Predicted Pakistan XI for third Test vs EnglandAzan Awais, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Ubaid Shah.Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more.
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