Buttler's minor injury during the side's warm-up routine just 32 minutes before the match gave Bairstow another crack in the side, which brought back some sweet memories from last year when he scored an unbeaten 83 to take England home against New Zealand. He was named the Man of the Match that night at Chester-le-Street but still had to make way for Buttler - a fate that awaits him yet again.
"I don't really get a choice, do I? It's the decision they make," Bairstow said. "It's beyond my pay grade, selection and who bats where. I'll be desperately disappointed. But that's me as a person, the will to play for England in any format going.
"When you're left out of the side, it's not very nice - and when you get in, you want to assess that opportunity and take it by the nuts and crack on." And Bairstow indeed made use of that opportunity against Pakistan after failing to make a mark against Sri Lanka earlier in the summer. Chasing 248 for victory, the hosts were reeling at 72 for 4 before the 26-year-old revived the run chase with a 103-run stand for the fifth wicket with Ben Stokes.
Bairstow was eventually run out for an 83-ball 61, but by then he had almost secured a win for his side. He is now focussing on making use of the opportunities that he receives and hopes England can make a mark in the world tournaments with the current crop.
It's a special group of players, and we believe we can go a long way in world competitions and series," he said. "But naturally, I'm frustrated not to be in that XI week in week out. Every time I get an opportunity I want to try to impress, and that's all I can do.
"Opportunities at the moment are a bit few and far between. You've just got to take it on the chin, crack on and hope you take the opportunity when it does come along."
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