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Pakistan reshuffles Test squad and releases coaching staff following England series defeat

The tourist side sent home seven players and replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed ahead of the final Test at Edgbaston.

Updated Aug 31, 2026 · 18:23 UTC1 reports

The short version

Pakistan made unprecedented squad changes after losing the first two Tests against England, sending home seven players and releasing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul.
White-ball coach Mike Hesson and former Australian fast bowler Ashley Noffke will take over coaching duties for the final Test.
The squad additions include five uncapped players and two experienced batters as Pakistan attempts to salvage the tour.
The final Test of the series is scheduled to begin on September 9 at Edgbaston.

Pakistan dropped five players who featured in the series—Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, and Khurram Shahzad—and sent home two others without playing, Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar.[BBC News]
Seven replacements were added to the squad, including uncapped players Arafat Minhas, Mohammed Imran Jr, Said Baig, Mohammad Imran, and Razaullah, alongside experienced batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal.[BBC News]
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant coach Umar Gul were released and replaced by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke.[BBC News]
Pakistan lost the first Test at Headingley by an innings and the second at Lord's by 194 runs, failing to reach 200 runs in any of their four innings.[BBC News]
During the second Test, the Pakistan Cricket Board threatened to call off the tour over a broadcast interview regarding imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, though the match was completed after team management denied knowledge of a planned boycott.[BBC News]