Birmingham: Pakistan’s ongoing Test tour of England has descended into unprecedented turmoil after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made sweeping changes to the squad following two defeats in the first two Tests.
The PCB released seven players from the touring squad ahead of the third Test, with the decision reportedly leaving members of the Pakistan team stunned. According to a report in The Telegraphone of the players initially thought reports of his removal were “fake news”, highlighting the confusion and shock within the touring camp.
The dramatic changes have come after Pakistan suffered defeats in the first two Tests of the series and faced growing criticism over their performances and team selection.
Seven players sent home
The PCB decided to release seven players from the squad ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston. The players sent home were Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.
The decision has significantly altered Pakistan’s Test squad midway through the England tour.
The board has instead brought in five uncapped players — Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah — along with Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal.
Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have only limited international experience between them, meaning Pakistan will enter the third Test with a substantially different-looking group from the one that began the series.
The changes underline the scale of the crisis facing Pakistan cricket, with the board opting for a major overhaul rather than continuing with the squad that played the opening two Tests.
Players reportedly shocked by decision
According to The Telegraphthe players were caught off guard by the PCB’s decision.
The report said that around 5 pm on Monday, members of the Pakistan team began receiving messages from friends and relatives asking what was happening. The players were reportedly unaware of the extent of the changes because it was a day off and many of them were either outside the hotel or relaxing.
The report claimed that one player believed he had been made a scapegoat and initially thought the reports about the squad changes were fake.
The sudden nature of the decision has reportedly created considerable uncertainty within the Pakistan camp, particularly because the changes were announced while the team was still in the middle of an overseas Test series.
PCB seeks answers over selections
The upheaval has also extended to Pakistan’s selection committee.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the PCB sought explanations from the selectors regarding the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq in the Test squad.
The selection committee was reportedly issued a notice on Monday, the same day the PCB announced its decision to send seven players and two coaches home ahead of the third Test.
The selectors were asked to submit a written explanation within 24 hours, including the reasons behind selecting Rizwan and Imam and details of the process followed while making those decisions.
The development indicates that the PCB is examining not only the players’ performances but also the decision-making process that led to their selection for the England tour.
Coaching staff also undergoes changes
The PCB has also made changes to the coaching structure during the England tour.
Mike Hesson, Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, and bowling coach Ashley Noffke have reportedly joined the Test coaching staff.
The move gives Pakistan’s Test team additional support from members of the white-ball coaching set-up at a crucial stage of the England series.
With a significantly reshaped squad and changes to the coaching structure, Pakistan’s preparation for the third Test has been disrupted at a time when the team needs stability and consistency.
Misbah-ul-Haq resigns from selection committee
The changes have also affected former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Misbah offered his resignation from the Pakistan men’s national selection committee following the PCB’s decision to make major changes to the Test squad and coaching staff.
The PCB has reportedly not yet accepted his resignation.
Misbah has also decided to step down from his position as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, according to the report.
His decision adds another layer to the uncertainty surrounding Pakistan cricket’s administration and selection process.
Pakistan face major challenge at Edgbaston
The sweeping changes come at a difficult stage of the England tour. Pakistan have already lost the first two Tests and now face the challenge of rebuilding their side ahead of the third match at Edgbaston.
The inclusion of several uncapped players could provide an opportunity for emerging cricketers to establish themselves at international level. However, introducing inexperienced players in the middle of a difficult overseas series also carries considerable risks.
Pakistan will need the new-look group to quickly adapt to the demands of Test cricket in England, while the coaching staff will have to establish clear roles and combinations within a short period.
The situation has also placed the spotlight firmly on the PCB’s selection policies and decision-making processes. Seeking explanations from selectors over key selections and making sweeping changes midway through a tour are signs of the pressure currently surrounding Pakistan cricket.
For the players who were released, the decision represents a major setback. For those brought into the squad, meanwhile, it presents an unexpected opportunity to make their mark on the international stage.
The third Test at Edgbaston will therefore be more than just another match in the series. It will be the first major test of Pakistan’s dramatically reshaped Test set-up and could provide an indication of whether the PCB’s radical intervention can change the team’s fortunes.