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Pakistan entered the third Test against England at Edgbaston hoping to put the off-field turmoil behind them, but their problems continued once the action began. The visitors suffered a dramatic collapse in the opening session, with their first five batters all dismissed for single-figure scores.
Saim Ayub, Azan Awais, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood and Babar Azam failed to provide any resistance as Pakistan slipped to 48/5 inside 15 overs. The collapse created an unwanted piece of Test history, as Pakistan became the first team to have their top five batters dismissed for single-figure scores in the first innings of a Test match in England.
Pakistan enter record books for wrong reasons
Saim Ayub started the collapse when Ollie Robinson trapped him lbw for a 10-ball duck. Robinson then removed Abdullah Shafique for three, while Jofra Archer accounted for Azan Awais and Shan Masood for nine and five respectively.
Babar Azam's dismissal completed the unwanted sequence. The Pakistan captain scored seven from 18 balls before Josh Tongue bowled him with a delivery that moved back into him and hit the top of off stump.
Babar's latest failure also extended his disappointing run in the series. He had scored eight and six in the two innings at Lord's, meaning he has managed only 21 runs across his first three innings against England. His dismissal left Pakistan five down for 48, with the visitors facing another difficult batting situation.
Mike Hesson explains Pakistan’s batting and bowling changes
Pakistan's coach Mike Hesson spoke about the changes made to the side and the team's need for greater depth after a prolonged weakness against opposition lower orders.
“Well, that's one of the things we have tried to change. That's been a stat for two years, and nothing's changed, really. So we've gone, well, okay, we actually need a seam bowling all-rounder. We need some of our bowlers that can bat. We also need, within our bowling attack, we need a bit of variety. We need someone who, with the old ball, can actually create opportunities as well rather than have to rely just on the new ball. So, you'll see a couple of new players come out today that will be nervous, but they'll be excited as well, and they'll offer quite a difference.”
Asked specifically about the decision to leave Ali Usman out, Hesson explained that Pakistan wanted more all-round contribution from their lower-order players.
“Yeah, without a doubt. And in certain parts of the world, where your finger spinner has to make a contribution in the first innings of the game as well, whether that be in the field or with the bat. Because his role might come late, and in all honesty, it might not come at all. So you certainly have to offer more. A bit different in Pakistan, where they'll be one of your key bowlers. But we need our number eight or our bowling all-ro under, whether that be seam or spin, to be able to offer in all three areas.”
Mike Hesson opens up on Pakistan’s tumultuous week
Hesson also admitted that Pakistan had endured a difficult few days before arriving in Birmingham, but felt the team was able to regain its focus after reaching the venue.
“Yeah, I think once we arrived in Birmingham, we were able to switch focus pretty quickly. It was a pretty challenging few days in London before we left. But once we've got here, we've had three trainings, albeit sort of one and a half indoors. And look, guys are in a good space. It's just a matter of focusing on the present.”
He also revealed that he joined the team earlier than originally planned after being in Japan for his white-ball responsibilities.
“I sort of came in halfway through, really. I was in Japan preparing for the Asian Games for my white-ball job. Was always coming to London to meet the team a couple of days later, but that obviously got expedited. Arrived here, there were already three players that were on their way out of the squad, and then we obviously had to pull a squad together. So I was pretty involved from that point.”
Also Read: Watch: Babar Azam falls to Josh Tongue’s peach, bags another low score
