Pakistan's Radical Changes After Lord's Defeats

Pakistan have not just tweaked their squad after Lord’s. They’ve torn it up.

Two bruising defeats to England – an innings-and-103-run thrashing at Leeds followed by a 194-run hammering at Lord’s – have forced a mid-tour reset of rare scale. With the series already gone at 0-2 and five losses in their last six Tests, the Pakistan Cricket Board has moved hard and fast ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston.

Seven players out. Two members of the red-ball coaching staff gone. A new core, and a new message.

Big names axed as PCB swings the axe

The most eye-catching call is the release of Mohammad Rizwan. The wicketkeeper-batter, once a pillar of Pakistan’s batting, has paid the price for another lean outing. His second-innings dismissal at Lord’s – trapped lbw while attempting a slog – only sharpened the scrutiny on his place.

Former white-ball captain Salman Ali Agha has also been cut, along with opening batter Imam-ul-Haq. Imam’s situation had already become a flashpoint: ruled out of both innings at Lord’s with a calf injury on day one, he then appeared on the outfield for warm-ups on the fourth morning, prompting questions over his availability and selection.

Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad complete the list of seven players released.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board has today announced that seven players have been released from the Test squad following completion of the Lord's Test. A total of seven replacements have been named including five uncapped players at Test level and two capped players,” the PCB said in a statement.

This is not gentle rotation. It is a clear break from the group that has stumbled through this series.

Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal return, Minhas adds spin

Into the vacuum step seven replacements, a blend of familiar faces and fresh bets.

At the top of that list are Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, both already capped in Tests. Saim, a left-handed batter with eight Tests behind him, brings an aggressive streak Pakistan have often talked about but rarely sustained in English conditions. Abdullah, with two Tests to his name, offers a more orthodox option, but crucially one the selectors believe can handle the scrutiny.

“Among the players announced as replacements, batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have played eight and two Tests, respectively, while left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas has represented Pakistan in three ODIs and four T20Is,” the PCB added.

Arafat Minhas, the left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, adds variety Pakistan sorely lacked as the Lord’s pitch aged. His experience has come in white-ball cricket – three ODIs and four T20Is – but his skill set offers balance in a side searching for it.

New blood: four uncapped bets for a sinking red-ball side

Behind those three come four uncapped players at Test level, each a calculated gamble.

Left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Jnr strengthens the pace stocks, a department that has looked short of bite and consistency on this tour. Wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, player of the tournament in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26, steps straight into the highest level with a growing reputation and the added weight of replacing Rizwan’s dual role.

Right-arm pace-bowling all-rounders Mohammad Imran – also known as Imran Randhawa – and Razaullah complete the overhaul, both offering that elusive dual discipline Pakistan have long searched for to balance their XI.

“The four other players are left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Jnr, wicketkeeper-batter and player of the tournament of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 Saad Baig, right-arm pace bowling all-rounders Mohammad Imran (also known as Imran Randhawa) and Razaullah,” the PCB said.

Seven out, seven in. A different dressing room, a different dynamic.

Sarfaraz and Gul removed as red-ball brains trust reshaped

The changes don’t stop at the playing group.

Red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have both been relieved of their duties mid-tour, a stark signal that the board’s frustration runs deeper than a misfiring top order or a leaky attack.

“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 PCB confirmed.

White-ball head coach Mike Hesson now steps across formats, taking charge of the Test setup for the remainder of the England tour. Ashley Noffke joins him, tasked with reviving a bowling unit that has lacked control and penetration.

It is an unusual mid-series pivot: a white-ball leadership team asked to rescue a red-ball campaign already in flames.

Edgbaston or bust

All of this churn leads to one question: what now?

Pakistan travel to Edgbaston for the third Test, starting September 9, with the series already lost but reputations still very much on the line. The mood around the side after Lord’s had turned dark, with criticism raining down on senior players and the structure around them. The PCB’s response is as loud as it gets in the middle of a tour.

New faces. New voices. Same opponents.

Edgbaston will show whether this is the start of a rebuild or just another brutal chapter in a red-ball slide Pakistan can no longer ignore.