The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made sweeping changes to the Test squad ahead of the third and final Test against England, dropping seven players including senior batters Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Agha.
The squad overhaul comes with Pakistan trailing 0-2 in the series, following disappointing batting performances in the first two Tests. According to team management, the decision to drop the trio was based on a combination of “form, fitness and disciplinary matters,” with all three having endured difficult outings during the ongoing series that fell short of expectations.
New Faces in the Squad
Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have been confirmed as fresh additions to the squad. Several other players, including fast bowlers Razaullah Khan and Mohammad Imran, left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas, and wicketkeeper Saad Baig, are expected to join the squad pending visa approvals.
The inclusion of largely uncapped talent signals a shift toward rebuilding the Test side, with selectors apparently prioritizing fresh energy over experience following the team’s struggles in England.
Coaching Staff Also Overhauled
The changes extend beyond the playing XI. Mike Hesson, previously in charge of the white-ball setup, has been promoted to head the Test coaching staff. Meanwhile, Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have both been removed from their positions. Ashley Noffke has been added to the support staff as part of the reshuffle.
The scale of the changes, both on the field and in the coaching setup, underscores the depth of concern within the PCB over the team’s performance in the ongoing series.
Match Details
The third Test will be played in Birmingham, starting September 9. With the series already lost, the match is being viewed as an opportunity for the newly reshaped squad to demonstrate its potential and lay groundwork for the team’s future direction under the new coaching structure.
Fans and former cricketers have offered mixed reactions to the shake-up, with some praising the board for decisive action while others have raised questions about the timing and selection process behind such a dramatic overhaul mid-series.
The cricket shake-up comes at a time when Pakistan’s broader economic news cycle has also been active, with markets and energy prices drawing attention alongside the sporting headlines this week.