Pakistan cricket has taken a major step after two heavy defeats against England. The Pakistan Cricket Board has released seven players from its Test squad before the third and final match of the series.
The biggest names on the list are Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha. Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have also left the squad.
The decision came soon after Pakistan lost the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs. England took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series with that win. Pakistan had also lost the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs.
The scale of the change has surprised many people. Pakistan has not waited until the end of the tour. The board has acted before the final Test, which starts in Birmingham on September 9.
A Heavy Defeat at Lord’s
Pakistan’s problems became clear during the second Test at Lord’s.
England made 290 in its first innings. Pakistan then collapsed for only 110. That gave England a huge lead and put the visitors under severe pressure.
England later set Pakistan a target of 389 runs. The Pakistan side could not produce a strong reply and was all out for 194. England won by 194 runs and secured the series.
The defeat was another poor result for Pakistan after the first Test. At Headingley, England won by an innings and 103 runs.
Pakistan’s batting has been a major concern throughout the series. The team has failed to score 200 in any innings across the first two Tests.
That lack of runs has placed huge pressure on the players and coaches.
Mohammad Rizwan Among Those Sent Home
Mohammad Rizwan is one of the most notable names to leave the squad.
The wicketkeeper-batter had a difficult tour. He scored only 61 runs across four innings in the series. His poor return came at a time when Pakistan badly needed senior players to provide stability.
Rizwan has been an important player for Pakistan for several years. He has also led the team in the past.
His removal therefore carries more weight than the departure of a regular squad player. It shows how serious the PCB considers the current situation.
The board has decided that fresh faces deserve a chance before the final Test.
Imam-ul-Haq Also Leaves
Imam-ul-Haq is another major name who has been released.
The left-handed opener suffered a calf problem during the Lord’s Test. He did not bat in either innings of that match.
His removal comes after a difficult period for Pakistan’s top order. The team has struggled to put together strong opening partnerships, which has made life harder for the middle order.
Imam has been part of Pakistan’s Test plans for years. His absence will now give another player a chance to make an impression.
Salman Ali Agha Also Released
Salman Ali Agha is another important player who has left the squad.
He had led Pakistan in the first Test because Babar Azam was unavailable. He did not play in the second Test, and the PCB has now released him from the tour group.
His removal adds to the sense of a complete reset.
Pakistan is not simply changing one or two players. The board has changed a large part of the squad before the last match of the series.
Four More Players Sent Home
The other four players released are Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.
Some had limited chances during the tour, while others had not played in the first two Tests. The decision means Pakistan will enter the final match with a very different group from the one that began the series.
Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Zafar were sent home without playing in the series. Five of the seven released players had featured in the England Tests.
Seven New Players Join
The PCB has also named seven replacements.
Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have previous Test experience. Ayub has played eight Tests for Pakistan, while Fazal has two Test appearances.
Arafat Minhas is also part of the new group. The left-arm spin all-rounder has played three ODIs and four T20Is for Pakistan.
Four players have yet to play a Test for the national team. They are Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Muhammad Imran and Razaullah.
Saad Baig is an especially interesting addition. The wicketkeeper-batter was the Player of the Tournament in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. His call-up gives Pakistan another option behind the stumps as well as with the bat.
Coaches Also Lose Their Jobs
The changes do not stop with the players.
Pakistan has also released Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. Both coaches will leave their roles after the two defeats in England.
Mike Hesson will take charge as the new head coach for the Test team. Ashley Noffke will take over the bowling role.
Hesson already serves as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach. Noffke has also worked with the national setup.
The decision to change the coaching staff during a Test series shows the level of concern inside the PCB.
The New Squad
Pakistan’s revised squad for the Birmingham Test has Babar Azam as captain.
The group also includes 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.
This gives Pakistan a mix of senior players, Test-experienced names and young talent.
The challenge will be to build a stable combination in a very short time.
A Huge Challenge in Birmingham
The third Test will start on September 9 at Birmingham.
Pakistan can no longer win the series. England has already secured the three-match contest with a 2-0 lead.
Pakistan’s main goal will now be to avoid a 3-0 result and end the tour with some pride. England, on the other hand, can complete a clean sweep with another win.
For the new Pakistan squad, the task will not be simple.
Several players will enter the Test with little or no experience at this level. They will face an England side that has already shown strong control with both bat and ball.
Why This Decision Matters
The PCB’s move shows that the board wants a fresh start.
Pakistan’s batting has been the biggest concern. The side has not crossed 200 in any innings during the series. That is a serious problem in Test cricket, where teams need long partnerships and large totals to create pressure.
The board has therefore chosen youth and new options instead of giving the same group another chance.
Yet such a big change also carries risk.
A Test team needs time to build trust and understand its roles. Pakistan now has very little time before the Birmingham match. The new players must adjust quickly, while the new coaches must decide on a clear plan.
A New Chapter for Pakistan
The England tour has become much more than a lost Test series for Pakistan.
The two heavy defeats have led to changes in the squad, coaching staff and team plans. Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha are among the most senior names to leave.
Seven new players have received a chance. Four of them are yet to play a Test.
The third Test at Birmingham will now become a test of Pakistan’s new approach. A victory would not erase the problems from the first two matches, but it could give the team some confidence.
For now, one thing is clear: Pakistan has decided that the old approach is no longer enough.
The board has made its choice. Now the new-look team must provide the answer on the field.
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