Pakistan Overhaul Squad and Coaching Staff for Third England Test
PCB releases seven players and brings in fresh faces ahead of the Birmingham Test to avoid a whitewash.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a major squad shake-up for the third Test against England, with seven players released and several new faces called up. The decision comes after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the first two matches, leaving them 0-2 down in the series ahead of the final game in Birmingham.
Among those released are wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and all-rounder Salman Agha, who captained the side in the first Test in Babar Azam's absence. Imam-ul-Haq is also expected to miss out due to injury, along with Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad.
The revamped squad includes Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have prior Test experience, alongside debutants Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah. Meanwhile, the coaching staff has also been reshuffled, with Mike Hesson taking over as head coach from Sarfaraz Ahmed, while fast-bowling coach Umar Gul has been removed.