Ramiz Raja criticises PCB over 'panic-driven' squad overhaul after England Test series losses

Former Pakistan batter and PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has criticised the current board for what he described as a panic-driven response to the team’s disastrous Test tour of England.

The PCB made sweeping changes after Pakistan lost the first two Tests of the three-match series, sending seven players home before the final match in Birmingham.

Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha are among those dropped from the tour, while seven replacements have been brought into the squad.

The changes have also extended to the coaching staff. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant coach Umar Gul have been released from their positions, with white-ball coach Mike Hesson set to take charge for the third Test.

Ramiz believes the scale and timing of the overhaul could further damage the confidence of the Pakistan players rather than solve the team’s problems.

“I'm trying to convince myself this is all OK, but it is not. It just shows Pakistan cricket has hit a panic button. It's not good for the game, it's not good for the confidence of the players who have come in, or for the players who are left, because it makes you a selfish team,” Ramiz, BBC Radio 5 Live.

“What is the guarantee they will get the results? Some of these guys have not played Test cricket. I've got no idea why this was done,” he added.

Pakistan’s performances in England have been poor from the outset. They suffered an innings defeat in the opening Test at Headingley before England won the Lord’s Test by 194 runs.

Across their four innings in the series, Pakistan have failed to reach 200 on every occasion. However, Ramiz questioned whether replacing such a large number of players midway through a tour could suddenly change the team’s fortunes.

“I'm really not happy with the situation. How many times have we seen this happen in world cricket? Never, ever. This is more like football, midway through the season, firing a manager. If you ask me how things can be fixed, I've got no idea,” said Ramiz.

The former PCB chairman also pointed to the uncertainty created for both the players being sent home and those suddenly brought into the squad. With the third Test fast approaching, several newcomers will be expected to adapt quickly to Test cricket and the conditions in England.

The PCB’s drastic decisions have come during an already turbulent tour. The Lord’s Test was played against the backdrop of an off-field dispute involving the sons of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan.

Sky Sports broadcast an interview with Suleiman and Kasim Khan during the lunch interval on the opening day. The programme focused on their father’s circumstances and prompted reports that the PCB had considered withdrawing Pakistan from the remainder of the Test and potentially the tour.

Pakistan ultimately continued playing, while captain Babar Azam and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said they were unaware of any plan to boycott the match.

The timing of the latest changes has also attracted attention because the Pakistan squad is scheduled to meet King Charles at Clarence House during its stay in the UK. Pakistan will now attempt to salvage something from the tour when they face England in the third and final Test in Birmingham.