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England vs Pakistan's third and final Test match starts on Wednesday at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The England National Cricket Team has already won the series, as they won the first two Test matches against the Pakistan National Cricket Team. Ahead of the match, Pakistan captain Babar Azam was present, answering the media as he broke his silence on the Men in Green’s current turmoil.
Pakistan have not won a match in England since 2018, when they won by 9 wickets at Lord’s. In this series so far, they have lost the first game by an innings and 103 runs and the second match by 194 runs. This displays Pakistan’s problem in the traditional format of the game, as they are placed at the bottom of the WTC table.
Babar Azam breaks silence on Pakistan's turmoil
During the pre-match press conference, Babar Azam was asked whether he was aware of the mass change in the coaching staff and seven players being dropped after the Lord’s Test. Babar's answer came as a shock, as he revealed that he had no idea whether changes were going to happen or not, as he stated it was news to him as well.
Babar Azam said, "It was news to me as well. I only found out about all these things later. PCB made the decisions, so they can explain it to you better."
Babar Azam was surprised after mass change in the coaching staff, and players were sent back home
Seven players Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Khurram Shahzad were sent back home and Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also removed, with white-ball coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke taking charge after their humiliating loss at Lord's.
Speaking on the same, Babar said he was surprised. Babar Azam was asked, 'It’s been a turbulent week, with seven players & the head coach sent home. How difficult was it for you?' He said, "Not difficult, but surprising."
He also answered the question that if he had any idea, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said it has launched a disciplinary inquiry against some players. He also stated that he is not part of any kind of discussion.
He was asked, 'The PCB said it has launched a disciplinary inquiry. Do you know what that’s about?' Babar said, "No, I have no idea." 'You weren’t involved in any of those decisions, including sending the players home?' Babar Azam replied, "No."
Pakistan's form in WTC 2025-2027 cycle
The Men in Green have lost 15 out of the 20 Test matches and currently sit at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 standings, similar to where they finished the last cycle.
They have been winless in their last five Test matches in England, losing three and drawing two. Pakistan have won just one away Test in the span of three years, which came under Babar against the West Indies National Cricket Team ahead of the England series. Pakistan would want to finish the series on a high and try to win the third Test against England
