Pakistan sacks head coach, sends 7 players home, ahead of 3rd Test in England

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Pakistan's head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed during a nets session in London, England | Photo Credit: PA via AP

In an unusual move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday (August 31, 2026) decided to send seven members of its touring Test squad home and replace them with a fresh set of players ahead of the third and final match against England.

Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have all been released from the squad, the PCB announced.

The Board also released head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, replacing them with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, respectively.

The sweeping changes come after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests at Leeds and Lord's. The third and final Test is scheduled to begin on September 9.

The seven replacements are Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Saad Baig, Muhammad Randhawa, Razaullah and Muhammad Imran Jnr.

Of the seven, five have played international cricket, while two — Muhammad Randhawa and Razaullah — are yet to represent Pakistan at any level.

Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have played eight and two Tests respectively, while left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas has represented Pakistan in three ODIs and four T20Is.

The other four players include left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Jnr, wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, who was the Player of the Tournament in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, and right-arm pace-bowling all-rounders Mohammad Imran, also known as Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah.

The players will join the Pakistan squad ahead of the third Test in Birmingham.

Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah. PTI Cor AH

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