Under-fire Pakistan seek consolation win
England, who have already clinched the series, are the favourites for a 3-0 cleansweep
With Pakistan cricket, perhaps nothing should serve as a surprise. But here we are again. Pakistan are under the pump. Not just on the field but off it as well after what transpired following the mauling in the second Test at Lord's. Seven members of the touring party were called back before the tour's completion. A couple of them are high-profile cricketers who have also captained Pakistan.
It doesn't end there for those who have returned to the country, as the PCB has also called for an inquiry that has raised more questions. However, what immediately matters for Pakistan is how they respond on the field. The recalled players were swiftly replaced, but their inexperience could prove costly. With the coaching staff also undergoing a huge change, Mike Hesson and Babar Azam are tasked with an almost improbable job. Pakistan have often stood tall in the past when their backs were against the wall, but even with that reputation, this task could prove too steep.
England, on the other hand, will fancy their chances of inflicting a whitewash. They have thumped Pakistan in both the Test matches with the pace attack standing tall on both occasions, in fact not even allowing the Asian side to breach 200 even once in the series. England would love some runs though from the likes of Emilio Gay and Jordan Cox. Dan Lawrence has impressed on his Test return but the big runs have evaded him so far.
When: September 9-13 at 3:30 PM IST, 11:00 AM local time
Where: Birmingham, Edgbaston
What to expect: Hopefully, more runs than what we have seen so far in the series. The last time a Test match was played at this venue, Shubman Gill alone ended up scoring 430 runs in India's massive win. Rain could make frequent appearances throughout the Test match.
Team news
England
Given the break between the second and third Test, it shouldn't come as a surprise if the hosts opt for an unchanged XI.
Probable XI:Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (c), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (wk), Ollie Robinson, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue
Pakistan
The visitors on the other hand will make at least four changes to their XI if not more. Four players from the XI that took the field at Lord's have been sent back and it remains to be seen if anyone else gets the boot for this fixture.
Probable XI:Azan Awais, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (c), Saud Shakeel, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas, Ubaid Shah, Mohammad Ali
What they said:
"I think it's very easy to say one team is excellent and one team is poor. Normally it's somewhere in the middle. Regardless of what's happened over the last two games, this week it's a completely different proposition for us." - Joe Root, England captain
"We've practiced a couple of days and explained things to the new boys. Any young player who comes in is excited, and that excitement is visible. I believe that will be visible in the match, too." - Babar Azam, Pakistan captain
