Pakistan overhaul Test squad and coaching staff after England defeats

Pakistan have replaced almost half their Test squad before the final match against England, an unusually sweeping response to two heavy defeats. England secured an unassailable 2-0 lead after winning the second Test by 194 runs.

The Pakistan Cricket Board released head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, who work with Pakistan’s white-ball teams, joined the Test coaching staff as head coach and bowling coach respectively.

Five uncapped players, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah, were added alongside Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal. Seven players left the squad, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.

Rizwan had faced criticism over his batting after scoring seven and one at Lord’s, followed by 12 and 41 at Headingley. He drew praise for his wicketkeeping, particularly while standing up to Mohammad Abbas, but remained under pressure with the bat. Imam suffered a Grade 1 tear in his left calf after the first day at Lord’s and did not bat or field in either innings. His appearance taking gentle throwdowns with the injured leg heavily strapped drew criticism, including from former England bowler Stuart Broad.

Salman Agha, Pakistan’s T20I captain, also missed the Lord’s Test after being dropped following his spell as stand-in captain at Headingley. Pakistan have lost 15 of their last 20 Tests and sit bottom of the 2025-27 World Test Championship standings. They will face England at Edgbaston on September 9, seeking to avoid a clean sweep.