PCB Chairman Justifies Major Overhaul of Pakistan's Test Squad Ahead of Final England Test

In a bold move, the Pakistan Cricket Board has revamped its Test squad ahead of the final match against England, following a series of disappointing performances. Chairman Mohsin Naqvi defends these drastic changes, asserting their necessity despite facing criticism from former players and fans. With seven players released and five uncapped players introduced, the PCB aims to rejuvenate the team. Naqvi emphasizes the importance of addressing issues beyond performance while highlighting progress in white-ball cricket during his tenure. Discover more about the changes and Naqvi's perspective on the future of Pakistan cricket.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 3, 2026, 00:48 IST

PCB Chairman Defends Squad Changes

Karachi [Pakistan], September 2: Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has come forward to justify the significant alterations made to the Test team during the ongoing series against England, labeling them as "necessary," as reported by a local news outlet.

In preparation for the third and final Test against England, scheduled for September 9, Pakistan has revamped nearly half of their squad. This decision follows disappointing performances in the first two Tests, where they faced heavy defeats, including a 194-run loss in the second Test, which allowed England to secure a 2-0 lead in the series. The first Test also ended unfavorably for Pakistan, with an innings defeat.

The PCB has released seven players from the squad, including notable names like Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, after the setback at Lord's. In their stead, five uncapped players have been introduced, alongside Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who collectively possess only 10 matches of experience. The new additions include Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah. Additionally, Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke have been appointed as head coach and bowling coach, respectively, both of whom were already part of the white-ball coaching team.

Naqvi emphasized that the decisions made during the England tour were crucial, while also acknowledging that there are issues beyond the team's performance that need addressing, although he refrained from discussing them at this time.

The PCB has faced significant backlash from former players, fans, and analysts regarding these changes. However, Naqvi dismissed the criticism, asserting that he has always welcomed scrutiny and encouraged critics to compare the team's rankings prior to his tenure. While he acknowledged the team's disappointing Test results, he pointed out the advancements made in white-ball formats during his leadership.

"I have never been afraid of criticism, and I never will be. Those who claim that cricket has deteriorated since my arrival should look at the rankings before I took office," he stated, as reported by the local news outlet.