PCB Overhauls Squad and Coaching Staff Mid-Tour as Mohammad Yousuf Criticises Decision

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has executed a major mid-tour shakeup during its Test series in England, releasing seven players alongside head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul ahead of the third and final Test at Edgbaston, which begins on September 9. The sweeping changes, coming after England secured an unassailable 2-0 lead, drew strong public criticism from former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf and triggered the resignation of selector Misbah-ul-Haq.

What Happened

Pakistan conceded the series following an innings-and-103-run defeat in the opening Test and a 194-run loss in the second match at Lord’s. In response, the PCB released Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad from the touring group. The board also removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, replacing them with white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke.

To replenish the squad, selectors called up five uncapped cricketers: Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah, alongside Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal. Together, the incoming players hold a combined total of only 10 Test appearances.

Alongside the team changes, the PCB served a show-cause notice to its four-member national selection committee—comprising Misbah-ul-Haq, Aaqib Javed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Asad Shafiq—giving them 24 hours to submit a written explanation regarding the selection criteria and rationale for Rizwan and Imam. Following these actions, Misbah tendered his resignation from both the selection committee and his role as batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, though the board had not formally accepted his resignations at the time of reporting.

Key Highlights

• Pakistan dropped seven players and two primary coaches while trailing 0-2 in the three-match series in England.
• Five uncapped players were drafted into the touring party ahead of the final Test at Edgbaston.
• White-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke were transferred into the Test setup to replace Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul.
• The PCB issued a 24-hour show-cause notice to the national selection committee regarding the picks of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq.
• Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq resigned from the selection panel and his National Cricket Academy consultancy.
• Mohammad Yousuf publicly condemned the mass removals, attributing them to internal boardroom turbulence rather than merit.

Why This Matters

The drastic overhaul comes amid a prolonged slump in Test cricket for Pakistan, with the Lord’s loss marking their 15th defeat in their last 20 Tests and leaving them at the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings. Mohammad Yousuf highlighted that replacing experienced players with relative newcomers indicates internal dysfunction rather than a performance-led strategy. He stated on social media that the replacements were not established legends, arguing that the changes reflect a recurring pattern of internal turmoil and controversy that has troubled Pakistan cricket since the 1992 World Cup. Furthermore, the exclusion of Rizwan comes despite him being the team’s top run-scorer and highest average holder in Tests between early 2024 and the tour of the West Indies.

What to Watch Next

Attention turns to whether the PCB will officially accept Misbah-ul-Haq’s resignations, alongside the outcome of the show-cause inquiry delivered to the remaining members of the selection committee. On the pitch, Pakistan’s significantly reworked squad, captained by Babar Azam, will take the field against England for the third Test at Edgbaston starting on September 9.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which players were sent home from the England tour?

Seven players were released: Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad.

Who was added to the squad for the third Test at Edgbaston?

The PCB drafted five uncapped players—Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah—as well as Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal.

Why did Misbah-ul-Haq resign?

Misbah-ul-Haq submitted his resignation from the national selection panel and his role as batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in response to the PCB’s mid-tour actions and show-cause directives.

Source: CricTracker