BIRMINGHAM: England captain Joe Root has rejected the notion that Pakistan will provide an easy challenge in the third Test at Edgbaston, saying his team may hold an advantage but expects a competitive match.
Speaking at a news conference a day before the Test at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Root said England’s focus was on the five days ahead and on producing a strong performance and a big score.
“It will be a new ground, a new ball and a new game,” Root said, emphasizing that conditions and circumstances could change quickly in Test cricket.
The 35-year-old right-handed batter has scored 14,208 runs in 168 Test matches at an average of 50.03, including 41 centuries. He dismissed suggestions that Pakistan should be regarded as a weak opponent.
Root said it was easy to label one team as very good and another as very poor, but performances in cricket can fluctuate.
“Obviously we have the advantage against Pakistan, but they have a good team capable of competing,” Root said.
He pointed to Pakistan’s recent individual performances, noting that Mohammad Abbas took five wickets at Lord’s while Saud Shakeel scored 97 runs. Although Pakistan have made several changes to their squad, Root said that should not lead England to expect an easy contest at Edgbaston.
The third Test is expected to provide another closely contested chapter in the series, with England looking to capitalize on its advantage while Pakistan aims to respond strongly.
Babar Azam says PCB had reasons for dropping seven players
Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam said the Pakistan Cricket Board likely had its reasons for dropping seven players from the squad following the team’s defeat at Lord’s.
Speaking to reporters for the first time ahead of the third Test against England at Edgbaston, Babar said Pakistan had largely settled on its playing combination and would select the strongest team based on the conditions.
“We have almost decided on the combination we want to play with,” Babar said. “We will field the best possible team according to the conditions.”
Asked about the PCB’s decision to drop seven players after the Lord’s Test, Babar said the board would be in a better position to explain the decision.
“The PCB must have made the decision after giving it some thought. They can explain it better,” he said.
Pakistan lost the Lord’s Test by 194 runs, and Babar acknowledged that the team failed to produce an impressive performance in any department.
“We accept that we did not perform impressively in any department at Lord’s,” he said.
Babar said Pakistan had already lost the series but wanted to finish it on a positive note.
“Yes, we have lost the series, but we want to finish it well,” he said. “As a team, we want to end the series by playing good and positive cricket.”
Regarding the new players added to the squad, Babar said the opportunity should not be viewed as pressure but as an excellent chance for them to prove themselves.
He said the newcomers have an opportunity to make their mark at the international level as Pakistan prepares for the third Test at Edgbaston.
