PCB Releases Seven Players From Pakistan Test Squad After England Series Loss
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made major changes to the Test squad during the ongoing series against England, releasing seven players ahead of the final match.
Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha are among the players released from the squad following Pakistan’s second consecutive defeat in the series.
Pakistan lost the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs, allowing England to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. England had also won the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs.
Seven Players Released
According to the PCB, the following players have been released from the Test squad:
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Salman Ali Agha
- Ali Usman
- Aamir Jamal
- Muhammad Awais Zafar
- Khurram Shahzad
The board has also announced seven replacements, with a mixture of experienced and uncapped players joining the squad.
New Players Added to Test Squad
Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have previously represented Pakistan in Test cricket, have been recalled.
Five players are set to join the squad for the first time at Test level. They are:
- Arafat Minhas
- Mohammad Imran Jr.
- Saad Baig
- Muhammad Imran, also known as Imran Randhawa
- Razaullah
Arafat Minhas is a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder who has already played ODI and T20I cricket for Pakistan. Saad Baig, a wicketkeeper-batter, was named Player of the Tournament in the 2025-26 Quaid-i-Azam Trophy.
The newly selected players are expected to join the team ahead of the third Test in Birmingham.
Coaching Staff Also Changes
The PCB has also announced changes to the Test coaching staff.
Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been relieved of their responsibilities. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke will take over duties within the backroom staff.
The third and final Test between Pakistan and England is scheduled to begin on September 9 in Birmingham.
Updated Pakistan Test Squad
Pakistan’s updated squad for the Birmingham Test is:
Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jr., Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
Pakistan will look to finish the series strongly after England secured the series with victories in the first two Tests.
