(National Times)- The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced the release of seven Test squad members, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imamul Haq and Salman Ali Agha, during the ongoing series against England.
The cricket board’s decision came after Pakistan suffered a thumping 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord’s.
With the victory, the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series, after the visitors also suffered an innings-and-103-run thrashing in the first Test at Headingley.
According to a press release, Rizwan, Imam, Agha, along with Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad, have been released from the squad.
The PCB also named seven replacements, including “five uncapped players at Test level and two capped players”.
Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have played eight and two Tests, respectively, have been called up to the Test squad.
Among the five uncapped players are left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas, who has represented Pakistan in three ODIs and four T20Is; left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Jr.; wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, who was named player of the tournament in the 2025-26 Quaid-i-Azam Trophy; and right-arm pace-bowling all-rounders Mohammad Imran (also known as Imran Randhawa) and Razaullah.
“The players will join the Pakistan squad ahead of the third Test against England,” the release said. The third and final match of the series is scheduled for September 9 in Birmingham.
Additionally, Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have also been relieved of their duties, the release said, adding that white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will replace them on the backroom staff.
Updated Test squad for Birmingham Test:
Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper) Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
