Pakistan's Major Squad Overhaul Ahead of Third Test Against England

In a bold move, Pakistan's cricket selectors have revamped the Test squad ahead of the third match against England, following disappointing performances. Aaqib Javed, the national selector, has defended the decision to release several players and hinted at potential actions against Imam-ul-Haq amid injury controversies. With fresh talent being introduced, the team aims to end the series on a high note. This article delves into the reasons behind the shake-up, the new players joining the squad, and the implications for the coaching staff. Read on to discover how these changes could impact Pakistan's performance in the upcoming Test.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 2, 2026, 01:55 IST

Significant Changes in Pakistan's Test Squad

Islamabad, September 2: Aaqib Javed, the national selector for Pakistan, has justified the extensive changes made to the team prior to the third Test against England at Edgbaston. He also indicated potential repercussions for batter Imam-ul-Haq, who is facing allegations of feigning an injury.

In a bid to revamp their Test lineup, Pakistan has made substantial alterations, replacing nearly half of their squad and parting ways with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul after suffering heavy losses in the first two Tests against England. Following a 194-run defeat in the second Test, which gave England a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, these changes were deemed necessary.

During an appearance on the Geo News program "Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath,’ Javed stated that the selection committee is accountable for the chosen squad, while the captain and head coach are responsible for the match strategies.

Javed mentioned that he had suggested to captain Babar Azam and coach Sarfaraz Ahmed to include pacer Ubaid Shah to diversify the bowling attack, but this advice was not heeded. He expressed that when decisions deviate from the plan, it signals the need for adjustments in the playing eleven.

With the series already lost, Javed believes there is no harm in introducing new talent at Edgbaston to showcase Pakistan's cricketing abilities.

He defended the decision to release seven players mid-series, emphasizing the importance of performance and accountability among established players, which they failed to deliver during the tour. The 17-member squad was selected based on merit, but action was necessary after disappointing results.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, following the defeat at Lord's.

Regarding the controversy surrounding Imam-ul-Haq, who missed both innings due to a calf injury but was seen taking throwdowns with a taped calf, Javed raised concerns about the legitimacy of the injury. He noted that it raises a significant question when a player cannot bat due to a muscle strain but can still participate in practice.

Javed remarked, "Players have played with injuries before. This situation is unfortunate, and we will take appropriate action."

On the brief tenure of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, appointed in April, Javed stated that results are not the sole focus; effective resource management and player guidance are equally crucial.

Pakistan has included five uncapped players in the squad, alongside Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have limited experience. The new additions are Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, part of the white-ball coaching team, will also join the Test coaching staff.

Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq has resigned from the national selection committee following the PCB's decision to overhaul the Test squad and coaching staff during the England tour. The PCB has yet to accept his resignation, and he has also stepped down from his role as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

Misbah, who retired as Pakistan's most successful Test captain in 2017, has held various positions within the PCB over the years. He was appointed head coach and chief selector in 2019 but resigned from the chief selector role in October 2020 to focus on coaching. He later stepped down as head coach in 2021.

In 2023, Misbah returned to the PCB as an advisor and was appointed as one of five mentors for the men's Champions Cup in 2024, also working with women's domestic teams.

Last month, he led the Pakistan Gold side to victory in the 50-over National Champions Cup in Multan under captain Shaheen Afridi.

Misbah was part of the national selector committee formed in March this year, alongside Aaqib Javed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Asad Shafiq.

He was contracted to serve as a batting consultant for 180 days a year.

The PCB has sought explanations from selectors regarding the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq. A notice was issued on the same day the board announced the decision to send home seven players and two coaches ahead of the third Test.

The selection committee has been asked to provide a written explanation within 24 hours, detailing the rationale behind Rizwan and Imam's selections.

From the start of 2024 until the West Indies tour, Rizwan was Pakistan's leading Test run-scorer and had the highest batting average on the team. Imam, while having played only two Tests during that period, was among the top run-scorers in domestic cricket.

The defeat at Lord's marked Pakistan's 15th loss in their last 20 Tests, placing them at the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship standings. The third Test is set to commence at Edgbaston on September 9, with Pakistan aiming to conclude the series positively and avoid a clean sweep.

Pakistan's squad for the Birmingham Test against England includes: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Ubaid Shah.