The final Test between England and Pakistan at Edgbaston has become about much more than the result of a cricket match.
Pakistan will come into the match with Birmingham with one of the most stormy periods of their recent Test career behind them. Despite two comprehensive defeats, England had the series won, and the fallout from Lord’s saw even greater changes. The PCB launched a probe into the team’s recent developments, while seven of Pakistan’s visiting squad were bled off before the end of the series.
This will mean that Pakistan will go into their last Test with a completely different combination. New people have been brought in, senior players from the touring party have left and Mike Hesson has been given the job of taking the team through the rest of the series.
Babar Azam now has the challenge ahead of him to captain a team that may have a few players who are not accustomed to the rigidities of Test cricket in England. Pakistan’s new boys will get little time to settle in before facing an England attack which has taken control of the series.
It has been England’s speed bowlers that have been the greatest gap between the two sides. Pakistan have not managed to reach 200 in their four innings yet and the magnitude of the batting woes of the visitors is evident.
It’s safe to say now that England have the 3-0 win in their sights.
Joe Root’s side could once again keep the side that bagged the two Test wins. But the hosts have not much room for big changes as some of their batting line-up members will be looking to make a big dent.
Emilio Gay and Jordan Cox continue to look for big hits, and Dan Lawrence has looked good but not had the innings he’s desired.
Conditions may vary at Edgbaston, with a different type of game to be enjoyed earlier in the series. The ground has seen a spectacular performance from Shubman Gill with his 430 runs as India won the Test match there. But the forecast weather may make the last game difficult to play.
The probable team for Pakistan is Azan Awais, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Ghazi Ghori, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas, Ubaid Shah and Mohammad Ali.
Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith, Ollie Robinson, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue are likely to be the players for England.
Pakistan have an opportunity to come out of England with something positive, but it is a big hurdle they have to overcome. England have settled the series from the outset, with the hosts building their team up over the past few days during the tour.
Edgbaston is not the end of a lost series for Pakistan. It is a chance for a beaten team to prove that they can still play, given the turmoil that has surrounded them.