The Final Boss of team selections: Pakistan predicted XI for third England Test
**Pakistan's Selection Puzzle: Who Survives the Whitewash Chase at Edgbaston?** 🏏 Folks, Pakistan are staring down the barrel of an embarrassing series whitewash after two thumping defeats, and the selection table's been flipped upside down. After that 194-run drubbing at Lord's, the likes of ImamulHaq, Rizwan, Salman A Agha, Ali Usman, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were shown the door. Seven replacements came in — but who'll actually make the cut at Edgbaston tmr? **Upfront Under Pressure** 📉 Here's the grim reality: Pakistan haven't crossed 200 in any of their four English innings (171, 135, 110, 194). The top six looks pretty locked in though — Azan Awais, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique and Saud Shakeel all have recent big scores on them, plus captain **Babar Azam**. But with ImamulHaq sent home, **Saim Ayub** could grab the opening slot. He's no star in Tests yet (364 runs at 26, top score 77), but he's been hot recently with a CPT hundred for Jamaica Kingsmen before that SOS call-up. **The Keeper's Spot** 🧤 Mohammad Rizwan's place looks destined for **Ghazi Ghori** (Muhammad Ghazi Ghori wk). Sure, 19yo Saad Baig is there as back-up (1000 runs at 55.55 for Karachi Region Blues), but Ghazi's got the international experience — 4 ODIs this year and a solid FC average of 41.26 across 46 innings. **The Pace Party** ⚡ This is where it gets juicy. Pakistan's medium-pace bowling got roasted, so expect an all-pace attack. **Ubaid Shah** (20) is basically guaranteed — he can bang in 140 kph and made his Test debut on the WI tour. He'd slot in alongside retained **Mohammad Abbas** (10 wkts at 20.80, Pakistan's pick of the bunch) and **Mohammad Ali** (6 wkts). And **Mohammad Imran Randhawa** should sneak in for his all-rounder credentials — 2255 FC runs and 110 wickets, handy lower-order bat. He's tipped to edge out Razaullah. **My Predicted XI:** Azan Awais, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Shakeel, Ghazi Ghori (wk), M Imran Randhawa, M Ali, M Abbas, Ubaid Shah. Can they stop the whitewash? The squad's got the talent — now they need to back it up. What's your call for the XI? 👇 *Source: Wisden* Source: Wisden
