Pakistan’s Probable Squad for Final England Test Includes Three Potential Debutants
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Pakistan have finalized a probable 12-member squad for the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston, with up to three players in contention to make their Test debuts.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori is among the leading candidates to feature in the playing XI. The 23-year-old Karachi-born cricketer has previously been included in Pakistan’s Test squads for the West Indies and England but has yet to make his Test debut.
Imran Randhawa in Line for Test Debut
All-rounder Muhammad Imran Randhawa is also being considered for a place in the final XI.
The 29-year-old has played 58 first-class matches, scoring 2,255 runs, including two centuries. He has also taken 110 wickets with his medium-fast bowling.
Pakistan may also hand a Test debut to Razaullah if the team decides to field four specialist fast bowlers.
The 21-year-old right-arm pacer from Mardan made his first-class debut for Peshawar in 2025 and has claimed 30 wickets in eight matches.
Arafat Minhas Could Feature
Left-arm spinner and all-rounder Arafat Minhas is another player under consideration.
The 21-year-old from Multan has already represented Pakistan in three ODIs and four T20Is. His inclusion could become more likely if Pakistan opts to play with only one specialist spinner.
Pakistan Look to Avoid Series Clean Sweep
Pakistan enter the Edgbaston Test trailing England 2-0 in the three-match series.
England dominated the opening Test at Headingley, securing an innings and 103-run victory. After scoring 409 in their first innings, England dismissed Pakistan for 171 and 135.
The second Test at Lord’s also went England’s way, with the hosts winning by 194 runs.
England scored 290 in the first innings and bowled Pakistan out for 110. They then added 208 in their second innings to set Pakistan a target of 389.
Pakistan were eventually dismissed for 194, allowing England to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Pakistan’s Probable 12
The 12 players in contention for the final Test are:
| No. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Saim Ayub |
| 2 | Aizaan Awais |
| 3 | Abdullah Shafique |
| 4 | Babar Azam |
| 5 | Shan Masood |
| 6 | Saud Shakeel |
| 7 | Ghazi Ghori |
| 8 | Mohammad Abbas |
| 9 | Mohammad Ali |
| 10 | Muhammad Imran Randhawa |
| 11 | Arafat Minhas |
| 12 | Razaullah |
Pakistan’s final playing XI will be decided based on team combination and the conditions at Edgbaston. The match also provides an opportunity for the visitors to finish the series with a stronger performance and avoid a 3-0 defeat.
