The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dropped seven players and two coaches from its Test squad ahead of the third and final Test against England in Birmingham, following a 2-0 series defeat.
Released players include wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also released and replaced by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke.
Seven replacements were named including uncapped players Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran (Randhawa) and Razaullah, alongside capped players Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal and Arafat Minhas. Baig was Player of the Tournament in the recent Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
The shake-up follows Pakistan's heavy losses by an innings and 103 runs in the first Test, then by 194 runs at Lord's handing England an unassailable series lead.
Sources say Imam-ul-Haq could face a one-to-two-year ban over a disputed calf injury at Lord's, which kept him out of both innings. This revived scrutiny of a similar incident during Pakistan's 2025 New Zealand tour where a PCB inquiry had accused him of faking an injury. Rizwan is also facing internal disciplinary concerns and is unlikely to be picked soon.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi defended the changes as necessary, acknowledging poor Test form but citing improved white-ball rankings. He dismissed critics, saying genuine concern was rare among them.
Separately, the PCB has sought written explanations from selectors Aaqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq over Rizwan and Imam's selection. Misbah has since resigned from the selection committee.
Pakistan Test squad for Birmingham
Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper) Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
