Sweeping Changes in Red-Ball Setup, PCB Sacks Head Coach and Drops Seven Players After Lord's Debacle
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) executed an unprecedented mid-tour clearance on Monday, releasing seven players and sacking red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed following a humiliating 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord's.
The board released former white-ball captain Salman Ali Agha, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, and opening batter Imam-ul-Haq, alongside Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad. Bowling coach Umar Gul was also relieved of his duties as Pakistan trail 0-2 in the three-match series, having lost five of their past six Tests.
White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Australian coach Ashley Noffke will assume backroom management for the final Test at Edgbaston starting September 9.
Five Uncapped Players Drafted In
Seven replacements have been named to join the squad in Birmingham. Previously capped batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal return alongside left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas. The selectors have also called up five uncapped Test players: left-arm quick Mohammad Imran Jnr, domestic Player of the Tournament wicketkeeper Saad Baig, right-arm pace all-rounders Mohammad Imran (Imran Randhawa) and Razaullah.
Former Pakistan international Kamran Akmal publicly criticized the board's drastic approach, stating that sending senior figures like Rizwan and Agha back home rather than keeping them in the squad sends the wrong message to the dressing room.
Coaching Overhaul and Off-Field Controversy
Red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were relieved of their duties following Pakistan's prolonged run of poor form, a tumultuous period that also saw Shan Masood replaced by Babar Azam as Test captain.
The board's sudden overhaul follows mounting public scrutiny over individual performances and off-field conduct during the Lord's fixture.
Imam-ul-Haq drew heavy flak after failing to bat in either innings citing a first-day calf injury, only to be seen warming up on the outfield on day four — prompting former England pacer Stuart Broad to call the display "all for show" on commentary. Meanwhile, Rizwan's place collapsed after a stretch of low scores ended in a reckless slog attempt at Lord's that trapped him lbw.
