Why did the PCB decide to make such drastic changes to the Test squad during the England tour?

The PCB made these changes after the team suffered significant defeats in the first two Tests against England, which prompted dissatisfaction and a push for a mid-series overhaul.

What was Shahid Afridi's reaction to the PCB's decision to release seven players and change the coaching staff?

Shahid Afridi expressed shock and criticized the PCB's decision, questioning the logic behind including T20 players for a Test match and the removal of coaches after just five Test matches.

Shahid Afridi unleashes on PCB's 'shocking' England Test overhaul: Seven axed, coach gone - 'What is this thinking?'

Q: Who are the new players added to the Pakistan Test squad for the final match?

The PCB added five uncapped players: Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah, along with Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal for the third Test.

Following the 194-run loss at Lord's last week, which saw England seal the series 2-0, Pakistan released seven players and two coaches.

Updated on: Sep 1, 2026, 17:16:44 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi was left shocked as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took the decision to make wholesale changes right in the middle of the team's Test tour of England. Afridi called it the "most shocking decision ever" as Pakistan replaced almost half of their squad and also released Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul — their head coach and bowling coach — after the team lost the first two Test matches of the series against England.

Pakistan dropped seven players and coach after Lord's Test vs England

Following the 194-run loss at Lord's last week, which saw England seal the series 2-0, Pakistan released seven players — Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad — from the squad.

They picked five uncapped players — Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah — along with Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal for the third and final Test, which begins on September 9. The PCB also named Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, the head coach and bowling coach of the white-ball set-up, to join the Test coaching staff.

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The development did not sit well with Afridi, who hit out on social media.

"Not sure what is the logic or reasoning behind this decision!", Afridi wrote on social media.

"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."

This is not the first time in recent years that Pakistan have made sweeping changes to their squad, but seven player changes, along with changes to the coaching staff, in the middle of a series represents an extraordinary overhaul.

Ex-Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja, who previously served as the chairman of the PCB, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm trying to convince myself this is all OK, but it is not.

"It just shows Pakistan cricket has hit a panic button."

The PCB has yet to explain the reason behind the wholesale changes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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