On Monday, August 31, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released as many as seven players after their 0-2 Test series humiliation against England. Interestingly, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have also been sacked from the coaching staff.
In its official statement, PCB confirmed that Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have been sent home after the 194-run defeat to England at Lord’s.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has today announced that seven players have been released from the Test squad following completion of the Lord’s Test,” the PCB wrote in its official statement.
On the other hand, the PCB has brought in seven replacements, including five players yet to make their Test debuts. Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have Test experience, while Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah have been added to the squad.
“The players will join the Pakistan squad ahead of the third Test against England. 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 statement added.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz and Gul will be replaced by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, who will take charge of the Test team’s backroom staff for the final match. The third and final Test commences in Birmingham on Wednesday, September 9.
Pakistan’s updated Test squad for the Birmingham fixture:
Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
