The Pakistan Cricket Board’s sweeping overhaul of its Test squad and coaching staff midway through the England series has triggered a strong response from former Captains, coaches and selectors, with critics questioning the timing of the changes and the wider stability of Pakistan cricket.
Seven players — Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad — were released following Pakistan’s defeat at Lord’s. Seven replacements have been called up for the third Test in Birmingham, five of whom are uncapped at Test level, while Test Head Coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul have also been released and replaced in the backroom staff by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke.
The overhaul follows two heavy defeats that have already cost Pakistan the three-match series. England won the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs before completing a 194-run victory at Lord’s to establish an unassailable 2-0 lead ahead of the final Test at Edgbaston on September 9.
Ramiz Raja questions mid-series overhaul
For former Pakistan Captain and former PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja, the decision represents an extraordinary intervention with another Test still to play.
Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, Raja said: “A lot of shock. This is not done in cricket. And so why have they done it? Obviously, they’re feeling the heat. But in any circumstances during the series, this has never happened.”
The timing has become a central issue in the criticism surrounding the PCB’s response. Pakistan have only the Birmingham Test remaining, leaving a short period for the revised playing group and backroom staff to prepare together.
Raja described the scale of the changes in unambiguous terms. “So Pakistan have actually created a world record. I am really, really not happy with this situation,” he noted.
Raja added: “This is more like football, midway through the season, you fire the manager. But this is a series that is happening. So they could have easily waited for another 10 days before taking a call.”
The seven incoming players include Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have played eight and two Tests respectively. Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah are all uncapped at Test level.
“I still am trying to convince myself that this is all okay. It just shows Pakistan cricket has hit a panic button and it’s not good for the game, not good for the confidence of the players who have left and not good for the confidence of the players who have come in,” Raja continued.
Afridi challenges selection and coaching calls
The decision to introduce five uncapped Test players has also come under scrutiny from former Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi, while the removal of Sarfaraz has raised questions over the amount of time afforded to the former Pakistan Captain as Test Head Coach.
Afridi wrote on X: “Not sure what is the logic or reasoning behind this decision! Even the replacements make no sense – T20 players have been included for a Test match in England? What is this thinking and approach? Why has the coach been axed after five test matches? This is the most shocking decision ever by a selection committee which includes so many experienced selectors.”
Not sure what is the logic or reasoning behind this decision! Even the replacements make no sense – T20 players have been included for a Test match in England? What is this thinking and approach? Why has the coach been axed after 5 Test matches? This is the most shocking decision…
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) August 31, 2026
The changes extend beyond the squad and coaching staff. According to Cricinfo, Misbah-ul-Haq has offered his resignation from the selection committee.
Former Pakistan Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim also directed his criticism towards decision-making around the national set-up. Writing on X, Wasim said: “The downfall began when serious decision-making became a part-time job, and the circus replaced the system.”
The downfall began when serious decision-making became a part-time job, and the circus replaced the system !!
🤡 🎪— Muhammad Wasim (@MuhammadWasim77) August 31, 2026
Arthur points to Pakistan’s stability problem
Mickey Arthur, who served as Pakistan Head Coach from 2016 to 2019, placed the latest decisions within a broader pattern of personnel changes involving the national team.
Writing on X, Arthur said: “This is the reason they are in the mess they are because they constantly chop and change players, coaches and selectors and there in no stability. Planning, stability and structure = consistent performance!”
Not sure what is the logic or reasoning behind this decision! Even the replacements make no sense – T20 players have been included for a Test match in England? What is this thinking and approach? Why has the coach been axed after 5 Test matches? This is the most shocking decision…
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) August 31, 2026
Raja also questioned what continued upheaval could mean for the collective environment around the team.
“It makes you a selfish team, it makes you an individualistic team. And what is the guarantee that they will get the results also?” he said on BBC Test Match Special.
His concerns extend to Pakistan’s ability to attract former internationals into coaching positions following the departures of Sarfaraz and Gul.
Raja noted: “I don’t know what will happen to the psyche of the team and the ex-cricketers. Who would want a job with Pakistan cricket if they are not respected?”
Malik and Miandad raise player welfare concerns
The treatment of the seven departing players has emerged as another strand of the criticism. Several of those released have significant international experience, while others had limited involvement during the England tour.
Former Pakistan Captain Shoaib Malik argued on X that accountability should extend beyond the playing group and should not be imposed midway through a tour.
“Accountability should start with those who broke the system, not with players specially those who were on the bench or have played 2-3 test matches. Plus accountability starts once a tour is done not in the middle of it,” Malik wrote.
The players dropped from the squad are still our national cricketers who have served Pakistan. Phrases like "sent on the first flight back" are disrespectful.
Accountability should start with those who broke the system, not with players specially those who were on the bench or…
— Shoaib Malik 🇵🇰 (@realshoaibmalik) August 31, 2026
Malik also objected to disrespectful descriptions of the departing players and raised concerns over the mental strain created by repeated criticism after poor performances, arguing that it could foster a fear of failure.
Former Pakistan Captain Javed Miandad focused on the consequences for players on both sides of the overhaul.
Miandad said, as quoted by PTI: “The players sent back it is now a mental scar for them and a blot on their career while the players who are replacements will be under so much mental pressure in the one test remaining in the series.”
Babar Azam’s leadership comes under scrutiny
The changes have also brought Pakistan Captain Babar Azam into the debate. Babar missed the opening Test with a finger injury, when Salman Ali Agha led the side, before returning for the defeat at Lord’s.
Former Pakistan Captain Rashid Latif questioned Babar’s response to the board’s intervention. Latif said, as quoted by PTI: “There is a difference between a captain and a leader and Babar has just stood by and left his players stranded.”
The unusual sequence involving Salman has also attracted attention beyond Pakistan. He captained the team in the first Test, was dropped for the second and was then among the seven players released before the third.
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle highlighted that sequence alongside the coaching changes and uncertainty surrounding the arrival of replacements. Writing on X, Bhogle said: “Trust Pakistan cricket to do the unbelievable. Salman Agha, captain in the first test, dropped from the second, sent home before the third! Coach and bowling coach gone midway through a series. Senior keeper sent home. Replacements hoping to get visas in time, let alone be ready for a test match. As always, more action off the field.”
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen also reacted to the scale of the turnover on X, joking: “Maybe the toss should start the night before?”
Final Test puts new-look Pakistan under immediate pressure
Pakistan will now enter the final Test with a substantially changed squad and a different coaching set-up. Hesson will take charge after replacing Sarfaraz, with Noffke coming into the backroom staff following Gul’s release.
Former Pakistan Test opener Mohsin Khan questioned whether the upheaval could be separated from the players’ preparation for Birmingham.
Khan said, as quoted by PTI: “I can only hope that Pakistan with some new players plays differently in the final Test but it is hard to see that with so much happening the players would not be disturbed.”
Raja offered an equally bleak assessment of the broader direction of Pakistan cricket.
“If you ask me how to fix it, I have no idea. I really have no idea,” he said on BBC Test Match Special.
With the series already lost, Pakistan’s immediate task is to avoid a 3-0 defeat at Edgbaston. The revamped squad and coaching team will have one Test to work with before the England tour concludes on September 13.
