PCB Replaces Seven Players and Two Coaches in Overhaul for 3rd Test Against England

LAHORE: Pakistan have reshaped their squad and coaching setup ahead of the series finale against England, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) making changes to both personnel and the coaching staff for the 3rd Test in Birmingham.

Seven players have been released from the group, while Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran, Razaullah, Mohammad Imran Jr and Saad Baig have been added to the Pakistan updated squad for 3rd Test. Saad, an emerging wicketkeeper-batter, enters the Test group after being named Player of the Tournament in the latest Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

The changes also extend to the coaching staff. Sarfaraz Ahmed has been removed as head coach, with white-ball head coach Mike Hesson taking charge for the final Test. Former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul has also been released from his role as bowling coach and replaced by Ashley Noffke.

The players leaving the squad are Imam-ul-Haq, Awais Zafar, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Aga, Aamir Jamal, Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad. The PCB said the released players will join the Pakistan squad before the third Test in Birmingham, which is scheduled for September 9 to 13.

The overhaul comes after Pakistan fell well short in the opening two matches of the series. They suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat in the first Test before England completed a 194-run victory in the second, leaving Pakistan with a difficult task in the final match.

Pakistan squad for third Test against England

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.

The latest selections give the side a different look, with several younger players brought into the group alongside established members of the squad. The PCB has also opted for a coaching change as Pakistan prepare for their final opportunity in the three-Test series.