The scale of the changes reflects the seriousness of Pakistan’s performances in England. Across the first two Tests, Pakistan were bowled out for fewer than 200 runs in all four innings, while England dominated the visitors with both bat and ball. At Lord’s, Pakistan were dismissed for 110 in the first innings and 194 in the second, eventually losing the match by 194 runs and surrendering the series with one Test still to play.
The PCB announced on August 31 that Mohammad Rizwan, Imam ul Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad had all been released from the Test squad. Five of those players featured during the series, while Aamir Jamal and Awais Zafar were sent home without playing a Test. The decision came immediately after the Lord’s defeat and represented a remarkable overhaul of Pakistan’s touring squad.
Mohammad Rizwan’s departure was one of the biggest talking points. The experienced wicket keeper batter struggled for consistency throughout the series and made only 7 and 1 in Pakistan’s second innings at Lord’s. Imam ul Haq’s situation was different, as he suffered a calf injury while fielding on the opening day and did not bat in either innings at Lord’s. His injury later became the subject of scrutiny in Pakistan, with reports saying the PCB ordered an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding it.
Salman Ali Agha’s release was also significant. He had captained Pakistan in the first Test at Headingley in the absence of Babar Azam but was left out of the playing XI at Lord’s. His removal from the touring squad means Pakistan have now made another major decision involving one of their senior white ball players during an already chaotic England tour.
The PCB has replaced the seven departing players with seven new names, including two batters with previous Test experience and five players yet to make their Test debuts. Saim Ayub returns to the Test setup after playing eight Tests for Pakistan, while Abdullah Fazal, who has played two Tests, has also been recalled. Arafat Minhas, who has represented Pakistan in limited overs cricket, is another addition to the squad.
The remaining four additions are all uncapped at Test level. Left arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Jnr, wicket keeper batter Saad Baig, pace bowling all rounder Mohammad Imran, also known as Imran Randhawa, and all rounder Razaullah have been called into the squad. Saad Baig's selection is particularly notable after he was named the player of the tournament in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
The changes have not been limited to the players. Pakistan have also released head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson will now take charge of the Test side for the remainder of the England tour, while former Australia seamer Ashley Noffke will replace Umar Gul in the coaching setup.
Sarfaraz Ahmed's removal is particularly striking because he had only recently taken charge of Pakistan's Test side. His tenure lasted just a few months and included five defeats in six Tests, according to reports. The decision to change the red ball coaching structure in the middle of an overseas series highlights the pressure surrounding the Pakistan team and the PCB's determination to produce an immediate response after two heavy defeats.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is also at the centre of the wider discussion surrounding Pakistan cricket. A high level PCB meeting involving Naqvi was reportedly held to discuss the team's performances in England and the controversy surrounding Imam ul Haq's injury, with reports suggesting that the meeting also considered Mike Hesson taking greater responsibility for the Test side. The PCB's official announcement, however, did not publicly provide detailed reasons for each individual decision.
Naqvi's involvement has attracted additional attention because the England tour has already been surrounded by controversy away from the cricket itself. During the Lord’s Test, the PCB was reportedly unhappy with a Sky Sports interview involving Imran Khan's sons, which led to reports that Pakistan had considered preventing the players from returning to the field after lunch. Pakistan eventually continued playing, while head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed later said that he and the players were unaware of the reported developments.
The PCB chairman has therefore found himself under increasing scrutiny as Pakistan's cricket problems have intensified. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has strongly criticised the board's leadership following the Lord’s defeat, while wider criticism has focused on selection decisions, coaching instability and the team's poor performances. These comments are part of a growing debate over whether Pakistan's problems can be solved simply by changing players and coaches or whether deeper structural changes are required.
Pakistan will now travel to Birmingham for the third and final Test against England, beginning on September 9. Babar Azam has been named captain of the revamped squad, with the new group containing a mixture of experienced players and several uncapped cricketers. The updated squad includes Babar Azam, Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
For Pakistan, the Edgbaston Test is no longer about winning the series. England have already secured an unassailable 2-0 advantage. The immediate objective is to avoid a 3-0 whitewash and determine whether the dramatic changes can provide any improvement in the final match of the tour.
The timing of the overhaul makes the situation even more fascinating. Pakistan have effectively changed a significant part of their squad and coaching structure while still in England, rather than waiting until the series was completed. It gives younger players an unexpected opportunity but also places enormous pressure on them to perform almost immediately at Test level.
The Lord’s defeat has therefore become more than just another loss for Pakistan. It has exposed serious concerns about the team's batting, selection, preparation and coaching structure, while putting the Pakistan Cricket Board and Mohsin Naqvi under renewed scrutiny. The decision to release seven players and two members of the coaching staff shows that the PCB believes a major response was necessary. Whether this represents the beginning of a genuine rebuilding process or another short term reaction to a disappointing result will become clearer when Pakistan take the field at Edgbaston.
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