‘Maybe the toss should have started the night before?’: Kevin Pietersen mocks Pakistan’s chaos
File Image: Babar Azam (Video grab) Kevin Pietersen has cheekily pounced on the dramatic change to Pakistan’s squad ahead of the third Test against England, joking that the team captain may have to spend an unusually long time answering questions about the changes ahead of the draw.Pakistan made major changes after losing the opening two Tests of the three-match series, with seven players released from the squad and two members of the coaching staff also shown the door.The extent of the overhaul prompted Pietersen to poke fun at the situation on social media, suggesting that even the captain’s routine pre-match chat could become a lengthy affair.
“It could be a long conversation”
Pietersen, who played 104 Tests for England, addressed the changes in a post on X, referring to Babar Azam as his “mate” while highlighting the inevitable questions the Pakistan captain will face ahead of the third Test.“When the captain is interviewed before every match, the interviewer asks about the changes in their team. Could be a long interview for my friend Babar! Maybe the draw should start the night before?”, Pietersen wrote.The former England batsman’s remark came shortly after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced seven changes to its Test squad following the team’s 194-run defeat by England at Lord’s.Pakistan had already suffered a 103-innings, 103-run defeat in the first Test at Leeds, leaving them 0-2 down in the series and facing the prospect of a clean sweep.
Seven players were released, the coaching staff changed
PCB released Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad from the Test squad.The board also made changes in the coaching set-up, releasing head red ball coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will now join the backroom staff for the remainder of the England tour.“The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced that seven players have been released from the Test squad following the completion of the Lord’s Test. A total of seven replacements have been named, including five uncapped players at Test level and two restricted players,” the PCB said in a statement.
Substitutes include Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal
Pakistan have brought in Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have eight and two Test caps respectively, while Arafat Minhas has also been added to the squad.Four players yet to make their Test debut – Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah – were also included.The changes mean Pakistan will head into the third Test with a significantly different group to the one that started the series.Pietersen’s quip added another layer to the extraordinary selection saga, with the focus now firmly on Babar and the make-up of the Pakistan XI when the third Test begins at Edgbaston on September 9.
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Share an opinionPakistan will be looking to avoid a 3-0 series deficit and end the difficult tour on a positive note.
- Updated Pakistan Test squad for Birmingham Test: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Razaullah, Sajimhany Baja, Razaullah, Sajimhanad Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.