Pakistan’s heavy defeat to England in the Lord’s Test is likely to prompt the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to call up six players, including Saim Ayub, to join the squad in Britain. England defeated Pakistan by 194 runs in the second Test at Lord’s, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
England posted 290 in their first innings, while Pakistan were bowled out for just 110. Set a target of 389 in the second innings, Pakistan’s batting line-up once again struggled, with the team eventually dismissed for 194 runs short of the target. Saud Shakeel missed out on a century after being dismissed for 97.
According to media reports, young openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, all-rounder Arafat Minhas, wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir, and fast bowlers Mohammad Imran Jr and Razaullah are expected to join the squad following Pakistan’s series defeat. The potential squad changes come after the PCB reportedly decided to send wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and opener Imam-ul-Haq back to Pakistan.
Rizwan faced criticism for his poor performances in both the Leeds and Lord’s Tests, being dismissed while attempting aggressive shots in each match. Pakistan will now aim to avoid a series whitewash in the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston, scheduled to be played from September 9 to 13.