Pakistan handed Test debuts to three players as the third and final Test against England got underway at Edgbaston on Wednesday, with the tourists already trailing 2-0 in the series and looking to avoid a clean sweep on English soil.
England captain Joe Root won the toss and chose to bowl first, citing overhead conditions and a good pitch. Root kept his own side unchanged, having already secured the series with wins in the first two Tests at Headingley and Lord's.
Three New Test Caps for Pakistan
Wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori, pace bowler Razaullah, and all-rounder Mohammad Imran Randhawa all received their first Test caps. Opening batter Saim Ayub also returned to the side, playing his first Test since facing South Africa in January 2025.
The changes mean Pakistan made four alterations in total to the XI that lost heavily at Lord's. Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, opener Imam-ul-Haq, pace bowler Khurram Shahzad, and spinner Ali Usman all made way for the new additions.
Speaking ahead of the match, captain Babar Azam described the squad overhaul as an opportunity rather than a setback. "Not difficult, good opportunity to the new boys," Azam said. "Outside noise is not in our control, we look after ourselves in the group."
What's at Stake
With the series already lost, this final Test carries symbolic rather than series-deciding weight for Pakistan, who are looking to avoid a whitewash and give their new-look side some early exposure to Test cricket in England. Pakistan have not previously won a Test at Edgbaston.
England's pace attack has been central to their dominance so far in the series, having accounted for the wickets across the first two matches, with Ollie Robinson named Player of the Match in both.
What to Watch
The Test is scheduled to run through September 13. How Pakistan's debutants respond under pressure, particularly Ghori behind the stumps and the two new pace options, will shape how the tourists' rebuild is judged heading into their next assignments.
