Pakistan has implemented a dramatic overhaul of its national cricket setup following a disappointing Test series loss against England. In an unprecedented mid-series reaction, team management has sent home seven players and dismissed the head coach ahead of the final match at Edgbaston.
The touring side struggled heavily during the opening two fixtures of the tour. Pakistan suffered a heavy innings defeat at Headingley before falling by 194 runs at Lord's. Across four innings in those matches, the batting lineup failed to surpass the 200-run threshold in any single appearance.
The selection committee removed five athletes who had actively participated in the series, including wicketkeeper Muhammad Rizwan, opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Ali Agha. Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad were also dropped alongside two squad members, Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar, who departed without making an appearance.
To rebuild the roster, selectors introduced seven new names, featuring five uncapped talents alongside experienced batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal. The fresh faces include spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas, left-arm fast bowler Mohammed Imran Jr, wicketkeeper Said Baig, and all-rounders Mohammad Imran and Razaullah.
Alongside the playing squad alterations, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant coach Umar Gul were relieved of their duties. Mike Hesson, currently leading the white-ball squad, will step in alongside former Australian fast bowler Ashley Noffke to manage the team for the upcoming contest in Birmingham.
The drastic changes follow a turbulent period for the touring delegation both on and off the field. During the second Test at Lord's, the team faced potential withdrawal when officials reportedly threatened to halt the tour over a television broadcast concerning imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan. Although the match ultimately proceeded, leadership figures denied prior knowledge of any threatened boycott.
Additional scrutiny surrounded Imam-ul-Haq after he sustained a calf injury during fielding duties and subsequently did not bat in either innings at Lord's. Furthermore, Salman had served as captain during the opening Test while regular leader Babar Azam was sidelined with an injury, before being omitted for the subsequent fixture.
The third and final encounter of the series is scheduled to begin on September 9 at Edgbaston. Meanwhile, the visiting delegation is slated to meet King Charles at Clarence House during the week. Pakistan continues its historic quest for a Test series victory on British soil, a milestone the nation has not achieved in three decades.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.
