Pakistan overhaul their Test setup after consecutive defeats to England, releasing seven players and making changes to the coaching staff.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has made sweeping changes to the national Test setup following England’s 2-0 series victory. Seven players have been released from the squad ahead of the third and final Test, while head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has also been removed from his position.
Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad are among the players sent home. Imam had also suffered an injury during the second Test at Lord’s.
The PCB has brought in several replacements, including Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal and Arafat Minhas. Five uncapped players have also been added to provide fresh options ahead of the final Test in Birmingham.
The coaching structure has also changed significantly. White-ball coach Mike Hesson will take charge of the Test side, replacing Sarfaraz Ahmed, while Ashley Noffke replaces Umar Gul as bowling coach.
Pakistan have struggled badly with the bat during the series, failing to score more than 200 in any innings across the opening two Tests. England won the first Test by an innings and 103 runs before securing the second by 194 runs at Lord’s.
With the series already lost, Pakistan will now use the third Test as an opportunity to rebuild and assess a number of younger players. The major squad overhaul reflects the urgency within the team after a disappointing England tour.
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