PCB overhauls Test squad after series loss to England

Further details have emerged regarding Pakistan's performance in the first two Tests against England, which prompted the squad overhaul. The team was beaten by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley and by 194 runs at Lord’s, failing to score more than 200 in any of its four innings. The third and final Test is scheduled to be held in Birmingham from September 9 to 13. Additionally, it was noted that new squad member Saad Baig was named Player of the Tournament in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Following the significant changes to the Pakistan Test squad, former cricketer Ahmad Shahzad has publicly criticised captain Babar Azam. The criticism comes in the wake of Pakistan's series loss to England, which prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to release seven players and two coaches.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has also confirmed the full 17-member squad that will be available for the third and final Test in Birmingham.

Pakistan Test Squad for Birmingham: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially confirmed the names of the seven players released from the Test squad following the series defeat to England. In addition to the previously reported Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Ali Agha, the board announced that Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad have also been sent home.

In their place, seven replacements have been called up for the third and final Test in Birmingham, scheduled for September 9. The new additions include capped players Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, along with five uncapped players: Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jr., Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran (also known as Imran Randhawa), and Razaullah.

The PCB also confirmed that Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been relieved of their duties. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will take over their roles for the remainder of the tour.

Following consecutive heavy defeats against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board has reportedly decided to drop a total of seven players from the Test squad. This expands on the initial decision to send three players home.

Following a meeting in London chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, the Pakistan Cricket Board has made significant changes to the team management. Mike Hesson, previously the white-ball head coach, has been appointed as the head coach for the third Test against England in Edgbaston.

The decision means current Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul will be removed from their positions. Reports indicate they will be formally relieved of their duties upon their return to Pakistan.

There is also speculation that Hesson could take on the Test head coach role permanently, with Ashley Noffke being considered as the new bowling coach to replace Gul.

In addition to the players already slated to return, the PCB has also decided to send Salman Ali Agha back to Pakistan immediately.

Under Sarfaraz Ahmed's tenure, the Test team played six matches, winning one and losing five, which included a whitewash defeat to Bangladesh in an away series.