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Pakistan called an abrupt halt to questions about their tumultuous Test tour on Tuesday with captain Babar Azam fronting a tetchy pre-match press conference.
After answering questions in Urdu, Babar fielded half a dozen from Sky Sports in English, but was then shepherded away before the written press were given a chance, with Pakistan media manager Syed Naeem Ahmed saying: ‘We are short on time.’
The cutting of the chat after just nine minutes came after focus turned to the internal discipline inquiry launched by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday.
Asked if he could shed any light on what was being investigated, Babar said: ‘No, I don’t know. I have no idea’, adding that he had not been involved in discussions on the subject - oor with the decision to send seven players plus coach Sarfaraz Ahmed home after Pakistan went 2-0 down at Lord’s.
The huge upheaval of personnel between the second and third Tests means that the tourists, now being led by limited-overs coach Mike Hesson, are set to make five changes at Edgbaston.
However, quizzed on whether recent events had been difficult for him personally, Babar said: ‘Not difficult. Yes, a surprise for us, but the new players are coming. They have a golden opportunity to grab things and play.’
Pakistan captain Babar Azam during a short press conference at Edgbaston on Tuesday
The lowdown on their new call-ups...
Pakistan sent seven players and their coach home after going 2-0 down in the three-match series against England. These are their replacements set to be thrown in at the deep end at Edgbaston on Wednesday...
Abdullah Fazal: An opening batsman with a willingness to attack who would have been in the original tour party, but for a lower back injury. He hit twin half-centuries on debut against Bangladesh earlier this year.
Ghazi Ghori: A rising star who combines neat glove work behind the stumps with a desire to keep the scoreboard ticking when in front of them. This will be the 23-year-old’s Test debut, replacing veteran wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.
Sajid Khan: The moustachioed off-spinner with the thigh-slapping celebration, who in tandem with slow left-armer Noman Ali spiralled England to 2-1 defeat in Pakistan two years, has been waiting in the wings but comes in with five-wicket first Test hero Ali Usman dispatched.
Razaullah: Just 21, he only made his first-class debut 10 months ago, but finds himself in lofty company now because of the point of difference he offers. His extra pace and slingy style - releasing the ball while looking at the ground - is quite a counterpoint to the metronomic Mohammad Abbas.
Ubaid Shah: Younger sibling of Naseem Shah, he was dropped despite marking his debut with a win over West Indies last month. Lacks his brother’s pace but at 21, time is on his side.
Pakistan probable team: Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (captain), Saud Shakeel, Ghazi Ghori (wkt), Sajid Khan, Razaullah, Mohammad Abbas, Ubaid Shah
