File Pic: Babar Azam (Video grab)
The former England batter’s remark came shortly after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced seven changes to its Test squad following the team’s 194-run defeat to England at Lord’s. Pakistan have made wholesale 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. 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 (wicket-keeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
Pietersen, who played 104 Tests for England, addressed the changes in a post on X, referring to Babar Azam as his “buddy” while highlighting the inevitable questions the Pakistan captain will face before the third Test. A total of seven replacements have been named including five uncapped players at Test level and two capped players,” the PCB said in its statement. The scale of the overhaul prompted Pietersen to poke fun at the situation on social media, suggesting that even the routine pre-match captain’s interview could become a lengthy affair. “When a captain is interviewed before every game, the interviewer asks about changes in their team. Could be a v v v v long interview for my buddy, Babar! Maybe the toss should start the night before??,” Pietersen posted.
Kevin Pietersen has taken a cheeky swipe at Pakistan’s dramatic squad reshuffle ahead of the third Test against England, joking that the team’s captain may need to spend an unusually long time answering questions about changes before the toss. “The Pakistan Cricket Board has today announced that seven players have been released from the Test squad following completion of the Lord’s Test.