Pakistan’s Muhammad Abbas (2L) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of England’s Dan Lawrence on day 4 of the second take a look at match between England and Pakistan at Lord’s cricket floor in London on August 30, 2026. Photograph: AFP
The endurance of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officers has reportedly run out over the workforce’s below-par efficiency on the tour of England. In an emergency transfer, six cricketers have been referred to as up from Pakistan, together with Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas.
In the meantime, questions are being raised over Imam-ul-Haq’s “suspicious damage.” At Lord’s, there have been expectations that he would come out to bat in troublesome circumstances, however regardless of receiving painkiller injections, he didn’t participate within the match.
A choice has additionally been taken to ship Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and others again house for what has been described as irresponsible batting.
In the meantime, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will take cost for the third Take a look at, whereas Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul have been launched from the teaching employees.
In line with particulars, following Pakistan’s defeat at Lord’s and the lack of the collection, the PCB took emergency measures, not solely reshuffling the squad but in addition making modifications to the teaching employees.
After the Lord’s Take a look at, the PCB introduced that seven gamers could be launched from the squad. They’re Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Owais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.
5 of their replacements have by no means performed Take a look at cricket, whereas two have already made their Take a look at debuts. Batter Saim Ayub has performed eight Checks, whereas Abdullah Fazal has featured in two.
Left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas has represented Pakistan in three ODIs and 4 T20Is.
The opposite 4 gamers are left-arm quick bowler Mohammad Imran Junior, wicketkeeper-batter and Participant of the Event within the 2025–26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Saad Baig, and right-arm fast-bowling all-rounders Mohammad Imran and Razaullah.
All of those gamers will be part of the squad earlier than the third Take a look at in opposition to England.
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been launched, with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke taking up their duties.
Pakistan’s revised squad for the Birmingham Take a look at consists of Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Junior, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
Then again, questions proceed to be raised about Imam-ul-Haq’s “suspicious damage.” On the opening day of the Lord’s Take a look at, he suffered a calf downside and left the sector. Salman Ali Agha got here on as an alternative fielder in his place.
On the fourth day, when Pakistan’s batting was struggling badly, it was anticipated that Imam would come out to bat. Nevertheless, regardless of reportedly receiving painkiller injections, he didn’t take part within the match.
An incident from two years in the past involving one other damage grievance by Imam has additionally resurfaced. Earlier than the primary ODI in opposition to New Zealand on the time, Imam complained of an damage, which prompted doubts. A subsequent PCB investigation reportedly discovered him responsible of a faux damage and even really useful that he be banned.
Pakistan has already misplaced each of the primary two matches in opposition to England and conceded the collection. The third Take a look at will start on September 9. A victory is now Pakistan’s final alternative to make amends, at the least partially, for the embarrassment of the collection defeat.