Aaqib Javed defends Pakistan’s mid-series shake-up after team failed to compete in England

Aaqib Javed says Pakistan’s failure to compete in the first two Tests in England left the selectors with little choice but to make sweeping changes before the series finale.

The Pakistan Cricket Board dismissed red-ball head coach Sarfraz Ahmed and replaced him with white-ball coach Mike Hesson. It also sent seven players home and replaced bowling coach Umar Gul with Australian Ashley Noffke. The decisions drew widespread criticism because they came with one Test still remaining.

Former players and coaches questioned the wisdom of changing the team’s coaching staff and playing group in the middle of a series. Misbah-ul-Haq, a member of the selection committee, later resigned after reportedly saying he had not been consulted about the changes.

Speaking on a private news channel, Aaqib acknowledged that the selectors would have to accept responsibility for the 17-member squad they had originally chosen. He nevertheless argued that the team’s performances in England showed the need to change both the combination and the mindset for the final match.