Lahore, September 1, 2026: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to overhaul the Test squad after two heavy defeats against England has triggered a strong backlash from former captains and coaches, who described the move as panic-driven and lacking planning and consistency.
The PCB announced on Monday that former captains Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha were among seven players released from the Test squad ahead of the third and final Test in Birmingham. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed was also removed after just five Tests in charge and replaced by white-ball coach Mike Hesson.
Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat in the first Test before losing the second by 194 runs at Lord’s. The two defeats left Pakistan 2-0 down in the three-match series, with the team failing to score more than 200 in any of its four innings.
Alongside Rizwan and Salman, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were also released. The PCB named seven replacements, including several players with limited or no Test experience, ahead of the Birmingham encounter.
The sweeping changes drew sharp criticism from former Pakistan captain and former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja, who questioned the rationale behind the decisions.
“I’m trying to convince myself this is all OK, but it is not,” Raja told BBC Radio.
“It just shows Pakistan cricket has hit a panic button,” he added.
Former all-rounder Shahid Afridi also criticised the selection strategy, particularly the inclusion of players primarily associated with white-ball cricket.
“Even the replacements make no sense — T20 players have been included for a Test match in England?” Afridi wrote on X.
“What is this thinking and approach? Why has the coach been axed after five Test matches? This is the most shocking decision ever by a selection committee which includes so many experienced selectors,” he added.
The changes have also placed renewed focus on the PCB’s selection committee, which includes former captain Misbah-ul-Haq. According to Cricinfo, Misbah has offered his resignation, although the PCB has yet to accept it.
Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur, who coached the national side from 2016 to 2019, described the PCB’s decisions ahead of the third Test as “absolutely ridiculous”.
“This is the reason they are in the mess they are because they constantly chop and change players, coaches and selectors and there is no stability,” Arthur wrote.
“Planning, stability and structure = consistent performance!” he added.
Former England batter Kevin Pietersen also weighed in on the upheaval, joking that new captain Babar Azam could face difficulty remembering all the changes when Pakistan takes the field.
“Maybe the toss should start the night before?” Pietersen wrote.
Pakistan now face the daunting task of attempting to avoid a series whitewash in Birmingham. The scale of the changes means the team will enter the final Test with a significantly reshaped squad, adding further pressure on the players and management after a disappointing start to the England tour.
The overhaul has consequently intensified debate over Pakistan cricket’s long-standing concerns surrounding selection continuity, coaching stability and long-term Test planning.
