Four Pakistan players and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed remain in England as PCB reshuffles the squad ahead of the Birmingham Test.
Experienced opener Imam-ul-Haq and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan have returned to Pakistan after being left out of the Pakistan squad for third Test against England. Both players arrived in the country on Tuesday following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to make significant changes to the touring squad.
The move comes after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the opening two Tests of the series. The Green Shirts lost the first match by an innings and 103 runs before suffering another major defeat by 194 runs in the second Test.
PCB Makes Major Changes
In response to the disappointing results, the PCB made sweeping changes to the team. Seven players were released from the squad, while head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also removed from their respective positions for the third and final Test.
The players released from the touring group included Imam-ul-Haq, Awais Zafar, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, left-arm spinner Ali Usman and fast bowler Khurram Shahzad.
While Imam and Rizwan have already returned home, Agha, Usman, Jamal and Shahzad have remained in England and are expected to stay for several more days. Sarfaraz Ahmed will also remain in England temporarily.
New Faces Added to Pakistan Squad
The PCB has brought several new players into the squad ahead of the Birmingham Test, which is scheduled to begin on September 9 and continue until September 13.
Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran, Razaullah, Mohammad Imran Jnr and Saad Baig have been added to the squad. The replacements are expected to join the remaining players before the decisive Test.
Meanwhile, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and assistant coach Ashley Noffke will take charge of the team’s coaching responsibilities for the final Test, replacing Sarfaraz and Gul.
Updated Pakistan Squad for Third Test
The revised squad includes Babar Azam, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.