Pakistan Move On Quickly To Mohammad Rizwan’s Replacement, Saad Baig In Line For Debut

Pakistan have moved quickly to find a replacement for Mohammad Rizwan after releasing the experienced wicketkeeper-batter from their squad for the third Test against England. The Pakistan Cricket Board made sweeping changes to the touring squad following heavy defeats in the first two Tests, with Rizwan among seven players sent home. In his place, 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig has been added to the squad and could make his Test debut at Edgbaston. Saad Baig Emerges As Rizwan’s Replacement Saad Baig is one of five uncapped players included in Pakistan's revamped squad for the final Test. The youngster is a left-handed batter and wicketkeeper who enjoyed an outstanding 2025-26 domestic season. Baig was the leading run-scorer in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, finishing the tournament with 1,000 runs at an average of 55.55. He also completed 32 dismissals behind the stumps and was named Player of the Tournament. His strong domestic campaign has now earned him a surprise opportunity at the highest level, with Pakistan looking to rebuild after a disastrous start to their England tour. Rizwan Among Seven Players Sent Home Mohammad Rizwan was one of seven players released from Pakistan's Test squad after England secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Alongside Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were also sent home. The decision came after Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat at Headingley before losing the second Test at Lord's by 194 runs. Pakistan failed to cross 200 in any of their four innings across the opening two matches. Five Players Could Make Test Debuts Saad Baig is not the only uncapped player brought into the squad. Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah were added to the group, while Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal also returned to the Test squad. Of those new additions, Saad Baig stands out because of his wicketkeeping ability. With Rizwan no longer part of the squad, Pakistan need a new option behind the stumps, making Baig a natural candidate for the role. Pakistan's Major Overhaul The player changes have been accompanied by a major coaching reshuffle. Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have left their positions, while white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke have taken charge for the third Test. Hesson has already acknowledged that Rizwan and the other senior players had been released before he took charge of the side for the final Test. Saad Baig's Chance To Make An Impact The Edgbaston Test could therefore provide Baig with a huge opportunity to announce himself in international cricket. The teenager has already shown his ability in Pakistan's domestic system, but facing England in Test cricket would be a completely different challenge. His selection also reflects Pakistan's decision to look beyond established names following a difficult period in red-ball cricket. The third Test begins at Edgbaston in Birmingham on September 9, with England already holding an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series. For Baig, the immediate target will be to turn his squad call-up into a place in the playing XI. If selected, he would make his Test debut as Pakistan's new wicketkeeper after the sudden departure of Mohammad Rizwan.