Pakistan made four changes to their playing XI for the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston on Wednesday, with Saim Ayub returning to the side while three players are set to make their Test debuts.
England won the toss and elected to field first, looking to make early use of moisture in the pitch and put Pakistan under pressure with the new ball.
Pakistan brought in Saim, fast bowlers Imran Randhawa and Razaullah Khan, and wicket-keeper Mohammad Ghazi Ghori for the series finale.
Randhawa and Razaullah will earn their first Test caps, while Ghori also makes his debut behind the stumps after replacing Mohammad Rizwan.
Rizwan was among seven players sent home following Pakistan’s heavy defeat at Lord’s, which left the team under pressure to respond in the final match of the series.
Saim’s return marks a significant moment for the left-handed batter, who is back in the Test squad after an absence of more than 18 months.
The 24-year-old last played a Test in January 2025 against South Africa in Cape Town, where he was unable to bat because of injury.
He now replaces Imam-ul-Haq, who was also sent home after suffering an injury that prevented him from batting in either innings of the Lord’s Test.
Saim’s return gives Pakistan another attacking option at the top of the order as they look to avoid a series-ending defeat.
The visitors will hope their reshuffled side can provide greater resistance against an England team that has chosen to bowl first and exploit conditions that could assist the seamers early in the innings.
Pakistan XI: Azan Awais, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (captain), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Imran Randhawa, Razaullah Khan.
