Sudden overhaul

Pakistan’s cricket authorities have responded to successive heavy defeats by England with an overhaul so sweeping that critics say they have pressed the panic button. Before the third and final Test, head coach Sarfraz Ahmed and fast-bowling coach Umar Gul were sent home along with seven players.

The changes came after England sealed the series with a 194-run victory over Pakistan at Lord’s. Pakistan had already lost the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs. The third match starts on Sept. 9, and the Pakistan Cricket Board appears to hope that a new lineup can restore some cricketing pride.

The losses have left Pakistan with five defeats in their last six Tests. Their only win came against the West Indies in August. They sit at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings and appear headed for another last-place finish, a position that reflects the scale of their decline.

The team has not reached 200 in either Test against England so far. Babar Azam returned as Test captain after missing the first match through injury, but he could not lift the side on his return. Salman Agha, who deputized in the opener, was dropped for the second Test. The other omitted players include senior wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, opener Imam-ul-Haq, spinner Ali Usman, pacer Khurram Shahzad, all-rounder Aamir Jamal and batter Mohammad Awais Zafar.

Pakistan’s white-ball coach Mike Hesson has replaced Sarfraz, who had led only five matches, while Ashley Noffke takes over from Umar. Selectors have also brought in white-ball players including Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal and spinner Arafat Minhas. Saad Baig, Mohammed Imran Jr, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah have not been capped by Pakistan in any format. Former players and critics have demanded greater consistency and better decision-making. The board may ultimately be vindicated, but changing personnel alone may not solve the problem over the long term.