Pakistan have torn up their Test set-up midway through their tour of England, dropping seven players and releasing two coaches after a heavy defeat at Lord’s left them staring at a series whitewash. The shake-up comes just over a week before the deciding third Test begins at Edgbaston.
What Happened?
Pakistan’s tour of England has gone from bad to worse. After losing the series opener at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs, they were beaten again at Lord’s, this time by 194 runs, handing England an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board made sweeping changes to the touring party. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, opener Imam-ul-Haq, all-format contributor Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were all sent home. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also released from their roles.
Taking their place are five uncapped players — Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Muhammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah — alongside Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who between them have played only a handful of Test matches. On the coaching side, Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, who already oversee Pakistan’s white-ball setup, have stepped in to run the Test operation for the Edgbaston match.
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The defeat at Lord’s was as one-sided as the scoreline suggests. Pakistan were bowled out for just 110 in their first innings before England built a substantial lead. Chasing 389 to win, the tourists could only manage 194, with Saud Shakeel’s fighting 97 the lone bright spot in an otherwise brittle batting display. England seamer Ollie Robinson was the dominant figure of the match, finishing with eight wickets and the Player of the Match award, well supported by Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.
Rizwan’s axing is notable given his standing as one of Pakistan’s senior players. He managed scores of seven and one at Lord’s after 12 and 41 in the first Test, and his position had already come under scrutiny for a prolonged dip in batting form, even as his glovework behind the stumps continued to draw praise. Imam-ul-Haq’s removal is more straightforward: he suffered a Grade 1 calf tear during the second Test and was ruled out of contention for Edgbaston.
Pakistan’s squad for the third Test is now built around captain Babar Azam, with Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel and Sajid Khan among the more experienced names left in the group, flanked by an unusually large contingent of uncapped or lightly-capped players.
Why It Matters
For the players dropped, this is a significant setback. Rizwan’s exclusion, in particular, raises questions about his immediate future in the Test format, while several of the others let go had already been fighting to hold down their places.
For the team, making changes of this scale midway through an active series is highly unusual in international cricket, and reflects how alarmed Pakistan’s management is by the manner of the two defeats. Statisticians pointed out that Pakistan now have more losses than wins in the entire history of their Test cricket, a landmark last touched in 1987.
For the series, England have already secured the win regardless of what happens at Edgbaston, but Pakistan will want to avoid a 3-0 whitewash and give some of their new faces a first taste of Test cricket in testing conditions.
For fans, the sudden influx of uncapped players means the Edgbaston Test doubles as an audition for the next generation of Pakistan Test cricketers, even as the senior setup faces renewed scrutiny back home.
What Happens Next?
The third and final Test between England and Pakistan is scheduled to begin on September 9 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will take charge of the Test side for the first time, working alongside a squad reshaped by five uncapped inclusions. Babar Azam continues as captain, and how he manages a much-changed dressing room over the coming days will be closely watched. No further squad changes have been confirmed at this stage.
Key Facts
- Pakistan lost the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs, giving England an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
- Ollie Robinson took eight wickets in the match and was named Player of the Match.
- Pakistan dropped Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.
- Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were released from the Test setup.
- Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, previously white-ball coaches, now oversee the Test team.
- Five uncapped players — Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Muhammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah — join the squad.
- Imam-ul-Haq suffered a Grade 1 calf tear during the Lord’s Test.
- The third Test starts September 9 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
FAQ
Why was Mohammad Rizwan dropped from Pakistan’s Test squad?
Rizwan was released after a prolonged dip in batting form, scoring just seven and one at Lord’s following 12 and 41 in the first Test, even though his wicketkeeping had continued to draw praise.
What happened to Imam-ul-Haq?
Imam-ul-Haq suffered a Grade 1 tear in his left calf during the second Test at Lord’s and was ruled out, leading to his release from the squad ahead of the third Test.
Who is coaching Pakistan for the third Test against England?
Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, who already run Pakistan’s white-ball setup, have taken over Test coaching duties after Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were released.
When is Pakistan’s next Test match?
The third and final Test against England begins on September 9 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Is Pakistan out of the series already?
Yes. England’s win at Lord’s gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, so Pakistan are playing the final Test only to avoid a 3-0 whitewash.
