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Pakistan drop seven players and release head coach
Cricket correspondent Published 31 August 2026 Pakistan have responded to their series defeat by England by taking the extraordinary step of dropping seven players, calling up five uncapped players and releasing their head coach.
After two one-sided defeats in the first two Tests, the tourists have revamped their squad and backroom staff for the third and final match of the series at Edgbaston.
Five of the players dropped - Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad - have featured in the series so far, while Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar have been sent home without playing.
A total of seven players have been called up. Batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have previous Test experience and join the quintet of uncapped newcomers.
Spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas, left-arm seamer Mohammed Imran Jr, wicketkeeper Said Baig and all-rounders Mohammad Imran and Razaullah have all received call-ups.
In addition, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul have been released to be replaced by Pakistan white-ball coach Mike Hesson and former Australia seamer Ashley Noffke.
The third Test in Birmingham begins on 9 September.
Pakistan have been abject in the opening two Tests, losing the first at Headingley by an innings and the second at Lord's by 194 runs. They have been bowled out for less than 200 in each of their four innings.
The response is remarkable. For a touring team to send home seven players and the head coach mid-series is unprecedented.
Ex-Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja, also a former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told BBC Radio 5 Live: "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 the for the players who are left, because it makes you a selfish team.
"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."
Pakistan to meet King Charles after Lord's controversy
On that occasion, Pakistan used garden heaters and fans to dry the surface, to assist their spinners. The home side won the next two Tests to win the series 2-1.
Now, among the seven players sent home are Salman, who captained in the first Test in the absence of the injured Babar Azam, then was dropped for the second.
Also dropped is opener Imam-ul-Haq, who was criticised at Lord's for not attempting to bat in either innings after suffering a calf injury while fielding on the opening day.
Raja, who played 57 Tests between 1984 and 1997, added: "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."
The sweeping selection changes come after the Pakistan team were surrounded by controversy during the second Test.
At lunch on the first day, the PCB threatened to cancel the remainder of the match and tour because of an interview with the sons of Imran Khan that was broadcast by Sky.
Imran, the former Pakistan captain and prime minster, has been in prison for three years on charges of corruption, which he denies.
Pakistan ultimately completed the Test, with both captain Babar and head coach Sarfaraz denying any knowledge of a planned boycott.
The tourists are also due to have an audience with King Charles at Clarence House this week.
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