PCB Overhauls Test Squad and Coaching Staff Following England Series Defeats

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made major changes to its Test squad after heavy defeats in the first two matches against England. Seven players have been sent home before the third and final Test, while coaches have also been replaced.

Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have been released. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have also been removed, with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke taking over. Seven replacements have been called up, including Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas and Saad Baig. Five have international experience, while Muhammad Randhawa and Razaullah are yet to represent Pakistan. The new players are expected to join the squad in Birmingham ahead of the September 9 Test. Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif criticised the sweeping changes, questioning the way current and former players are being treated after a poor team performance.

Latif described the situation as another example of the PCB trying to handle one crisis by creating a bigger one. He said the decision has shifted attention from the team's poor performances to what he called further embarrassment for Pakistan cricket. He also pointed out that the changes involve the captain of Pakistan's current T20 side, a former captain and a recently impressive player, while several others who have barely played are also being sent home. "Manage a crisis by creating a bigger crisis has been the formula of the Authority--the recipe was the same again but this time a new ingredient of disrespect added," Latif wrote on X.

“Is this the way that we treat former international players and our current players,” he further added. Latif acknowledged that the team had performed poorly but questioned who was responsible for putting the squad together in the first place. “Yes it was a poor show by the team but who created this team. Those who created the team ironically are the ones who are punishing the team.” He ended with a warning about how people in cricket treat one another: “What we forget life is a circle, today you disrespect someone it will come back to you.”