Pakistan have made sweeping changes to their Test squad after their disappointing series against England, releasing seven players ahead of the third and final Test in Birmingham.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the decision after England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series with a 194-run victory in the second Test at Lord’s. The defeat has triggered a major reshuffle as Pakistan look to make changes before the final match of the series.
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The seven players released from the squad are Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad. According to the PCB, the players were sent home following the completion of the Lord’s Test.
The decision represents a significant change to Pakistan’s Test setup, with the team now preparing for the final match without several experienced and established names.
The PCB also made changes to the coaching staff. Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and former fast bowler Umar Gul have been removed from their coaching roles as part of what appears to be a broader attempt to reset the Test side.
Pakistan’s latest setback came at Lord’s, where England secured a convincing 194-run win to move 2-0 ahead in the series. With the series already decided, Pakistan will now have the opportunity to finish the tour with a victory in Birmingham, but the team will have to do so after a major squad shake-up.
The changes come at a difficult moment for Pakistan Test cricket. Losing the first two matches of a series and then releasing seven members of the squad underlines the scale of the concerns surrounding the team’s performances.
For the PCB, the immediate focus will be on identifying a combination capable of producing a stronger performance in the final Test. The decision to release several players also opens the door for other members of the squad to take on greater responsibility.
The Birmingham Test will therefore carry significance beyond the result. While England have already secured the series, Pakistan will be looking to restore some confidence and avoid a clean sweep.
The PCB described the move as part of changes following the completion of the Lord’s Test, with the seven players officially released from the Test squad. The board’s decision to simultaneously make coaching changes signals that the review extends beyond individual player performances.
Pakistan’s Test campaign in England has consequently turned into a period of major transition. After the 2-0 deficit, the team must now adapt quickly to a new-look setup and find a way to respond in the final Test.
The third Test in Birmingham will offer Pakistan one final chance to end the series on a positive note, while the PCB will hope its sweeping changes can help put the Test side on a different path.
