Pakistan face England in third Test with series pride at stake

The third and final Test of the three-match series between Pakistan and England begins today. Babar Azam will captain Pakistan in the match at Edgbaston. After suffering embarrassing defeats in the first two Tests, this game is nothing short of a test for the Pakistan team.

The contest has taken a dramatic turn after what has happened in the series so far. Following a heavy defeat in the Test at Lord's, the Pakistan Cricket Board took a major and strict decision, sending seven players straight back home from the squad. The decision caused a huge stir in the cricket world. Amid all this, Pakistan's team, led by Babar Azam, will take the field against England.

Having lost the first two matches, the shaken Pakistan team's performance in this decisive match is being closely watched. Pakistan now carries the heavy responsibility of salvaging the team's battered reputation.

England's team, on the other hand, looks in a very strong position. England has established its dominance from the very start of the series. Having taken the lead in the series with impressive performances in the first two matches, England will look to maintain this winning momentum in the third match as well. While England will look to win the final match and complete a clean sweep over Pakistan, Pakistan's team will be seen putting in full effort to salvage what remains of its pride. This is what makes the contest an intriguing one.

After losing the series, the Pakistan Cricket Board has now begun a high-level inquiry into the conduct and discipline of the players who toured England. The board says this action has been taken following serious allegations that surfaced in media reports. Officially, the board is citing indiscipline among players as the reason, but behind the scenes the matter is being seen as far more serious.