Both teams made two changes from the second test which Pakistan won by 178 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.Azhar Ali, who missed the first test due to foot injury and the second because of the death of his mother-in-law, replaced opening batsman Shan Masood. Fast bowler Rahat Ali came in for Imran Khan, who injured his hand in practice last Friday.
England dropped wicketkeeper Jos Butler, and James Taylor got his first test in three years, while Mark Wood was rested due to an ankle problem and Samit Patel was included as a third spinner.