The patience of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials has reportedly run out over the team’s below-par performance on the tour of England. In an emergency move, six cricketers have been called up from Pakistan, including Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas.
Meanwhile, questions are being raised over Imam-ul-Haq’s “suspicious injury.” At Lord’s, there were expectations that he would come out to bat in difficult circumstances, but despite receiving painkiller injections, he did not take part in the match.
A decision has also been taken to send Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and others back home for what has been described as irresponsible batting.
Meanwhile, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will take charge for the third Test, while Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul have been released from the coaching staff.
According to details, following Pakistan’s defeat at Lord’s and the loss of the series, the PCB took emergency measures, not only reshuffling the squad but also making changes to the coaching staff.
After the Lord’s Test, the PCB announced that seven players would be released from the squad. They are Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Owais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.
Five of their replacements have never played Test cricket, while two have already made their Test debuts. Batter Saim Ayub has played eight Tests, while Abdullah Fazal has featured in two.
Left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas has represented Pakistan in three ODIs and four T20Is.
The other four players are left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Junior, wicketkeeper-batter and Player of the Tournament in the 2025–26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Saad Baig, and right-arm fast-bowling all-rounders Mohammad Imran and Razaullah.
All of these players will join the squad before the third Test against England.
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been released, with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke taking over their responsibilities.
Pakistan’s revised squad for the Birmingham Test consists of Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Junior, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
On the other hand, questions continue to be raised about Imam-ul-Haq’s “suspicious injury.” On the opening day of the Lord’s Test, he suffered a calf problem and left the field. Salman Ali Agha came on as a substitute fielder in his place.
On the fourth day, when Pakistan’s batting was struggling badly, it was expected that Imam would come out to bat. However, despite reportedly receiving painkiller injections, he did not participate in the match.
An incident from two years ago involving another injury complaint by Imam has also resurfaced. Before the first ODI against New Zealand at the time, Imam complained of an injury, which prompted doubts. A subsequent PCB investigation reportedly found him guilty of a fake injury and even recommended that he be banned.
Pakistan has already lost both of the first two matches against England and conceded the series. The third Test will begin on September 9. A victory is now Pakistan’s last opportunity to make amends, at least partially, for the embarrassment of the series defeat.
