Pakistan Shake Up Test Squad, Sack Coach After 2-0 England Series Loss

Pakistan have made sweeping changes to their Test setup midway through their England tour after suffering consecutive heavy defeats.

Following an innings defeat at Headingley and a 194-run loss at Lord’s, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston.

White-ball coach Mike Hesson has been brought in to take charge of the Test side, with former Australia international Ashley Noffke joining as the new bowling coach.

The PCB has also made major changes to the playing squad, with seven players sent home. Among those released are captain Salman Ali Agha, experienced wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, opener Imam-ul-Haq, seamer Khurram Shahzad, spinner Ali Usman, and unused squad members Aamir Jamal and Mohammad Awais Zafar.

Imam missed both innings at Lord’s after suffering a low-grade calf injury, while Shahzad and Usman had claimed six wickets between them across their two appearances.

Pakistan have added several new faces in an attempt to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash. Saim Ayub returns to the Test squad after featuring in all three Tests against England in Pakistan in 2024, while opener Abdullah Fazal has also been recalled after playing against Bangladesh in May.

Allrounder Arafat Minhas, who has seven white-ball appearances for Pakistan, has been included alongside uncapped players Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah.

The dramatic overhaul comes with Pakistan under intense pressure following their poor performances in the first two Tests. Hesson and Noffke will now oversee a significantly revamped squad as Pakistan look to salvage some pride in the final Test at Edgbaston.

The squad is also scheduled to meet King Charles at Clarence House this week, although it remains uncertain how many members of the newly reshaped team will attend the 15-minute engagement.