England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to field in the third Test against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Wednesday as the much-changed tourists aimed for a consolation win.
The home team were unchanged from the side that won by 194 runs at Lord’s to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Pakistan responded to that defeat by sending seven players home and calling up replacements, five of whom were uncapped at Test level.
They also sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul, with white-ball coach Mike Hesson drafted in to oversee a Test side that has now lost 15 of its past 20 matches.
Their team at Edgbaston featured four changes, with wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori, all-rounder Mohammad Imran Randhawa and seamer Razaullah all given debuts.
Saim Ayub replaced Imam-ul Haq after the opener was unable to bat in either innings at Lord’s because of a calf strain.
“The outside noise is not in our control,” Pakistan captain Babar Azam said at the toss. “We are just trying to prepare for this game and look after ourselves in this group.
“Mike Hesson has helped a lot. He is experienced and has a lot of knowledge. We have good communication.”
Root’s decision meant his impressive pace attack would be bowling first under overcast skies, potentially favourable to his bowlers. “(We) like the overhead conditions,” he said.
“It looks a very good pitch but… I feel like it’s the best chance of getting the most out of it.”
Teams
England: Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Jordan Cox, Joe Root (capt), Harry Brook, Dan Lawrence, Jamie Smith (wkt), Gus Atkinson, Ollie Robinson, Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue
Pakistan: Azan Awais, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (capt), Saud Shakeel, Ghazi Ghori (wkt), Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Razaullah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Abbas
Umpires: Chris Gaffaney (NZL), Paul Reiffel (AUS)
TV umpire: Allahudien Paleker (RSA)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)
Agence France-Presse