England and Pakistan Prepare for Final Test: Squad Changes and Coaching Overhaul
ECB Reveals Squad for Final Test
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled a 15-member team for the concluding Test match of the three-match series against Pakistan. Notably, fast bowler Brydon Carse was excluded from selection after a brief arrest incident outside a bar in Derby, which also led to his omission from the squad for the second Test, as reported by Cricinfo.
Footage showed Carse being escorted from the bar in handcuffs, with police confirming his arrest and subsequent release. Following this event, he was withdrawn from the England squad for the second Test held at Lord's.
In his place, fast bowler Sonny Baker was included in the squad for the second Test and has maintained his position for the third Test at Edgbaston. The only alteration to England's lineup is the exclusion of pacer Matt Fisher, resulting in a finalized 15-member squad for the series finale.
Pakistan Revamps Squad and Coaching Staff
In a significant move, Pakistan has made extensive changes to their Test team ahead of the third and final Test against England, scheduled to begin on September 9. This overhaul includes replacing nearly half of their squad and parting ways with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul following substantial defeats in the initial two Tests against England.
Pakistan faced a 194-run loss in the second Test, which allowed England to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. The first Test also ended in a defeat for Pakistan by an innings.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released seven players from the squad, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad after the setback at Lord's. They have introduced five uncapped players along with Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who collectively have only 10 matches of experience.
The five new uncapped players joining the squad are Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah.
Additionally, the PCB has appointed Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, who are already part of Pakistan's white-ball coaching team, as head coach and bowling coach, respectively.
England's Squad for the Third Test:
The players selected for the third Test include: Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), and Josh Tongue.