The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has executed a sweeping mid-tour overhaul, releasing seven players and overhauling its coaching staff following Pakistan's 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord's on Sunday, 31 August. The changes leave Pakistan fighting to salvage pride in a series they now trail 0-2, having lost five of their last six Test matches.

Players Released and Replacements Named

In a statement issued on Monday, the PCB confirmed the release of former white-ball captain Salman Ali Agha, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, and opening batter Imam-ul-Haq, along with Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad.

'The Pakistan Cricket Board has today announced that seven players have been released from the Test squad following completion of the Lord's Test. A total of seven replacements have been named including five uncapped players at Test level and two capped players,' the board said.

The incoming replacements include previously capped Test batters Saim Ayub — who has played eight Tests — and Abdullah Fazal, who has two Test caps, alongside left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas, who has represented Pakistan in three ODIs and four T20Is. Uncapped additions include left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Jnr, wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig — named player of the tournament at the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 — right-arm pace all-rounders Mohammad Imran (also known as Imran Randhawa), and Razaullah.

Coaching Staff Overhauled

The shakeup extends beyond the playing group. Red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will take over backroom responsibilities for the remainder of the tour.

'Additionally, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul have also been released and will be replaced by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke in the backroom staff,' the PCB confirmed. The coaching change comes on the heels of Shan Masood being replaced by Babar Azam as Test captain — a move that itself signalled the board's growing impatience with the team's results.

Controversies That Accelerated the Axe

Several individual performances and off-field incidents intensified the pressure ahead of these decisions. Left-handed batter Imam-ul-Haq drew sharp public criticism after failing to bat in either innings at Lord's, citing a calf injury reported on day one. His appearance on the outfield during warm-ups on the fourth morning drew severe scrutiny, with former England fast bowler Stuart Broad labelling the display 'all for show' on television commentary.

Mohammad Rizwan's place had also come under sustained pressure following a prolonged batting slump, underscored by a much-discussed dismissal at Lord's where he attempted an ill-advised slog and was trapped lbw by a ball that nipped back sharply.

Updated Squad for Edgbaston

The third and final Test begins at Edgbaston, Birmingham on 9 September. Pakistan's revised squad reads: 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.

Whether a rebuilt squad — heavy with uncapped talent and a new coaching pair — can arrest a slide that stretches across six Tests will be the defining question at Edgbaston.