A very big and sensational news is coming out from the corridors of international cricket regarding Pakistan Cricket Team. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has come into action mode after facing two consecutive embarrassing defeats in the challenging three-match Test series currently being played on the tour of England. After suffering crushing defeat in the first two matches of the series, there is now a stir in the Pakistani camp. The final and third Test match of the series is to be played at the historic ground Birmingham from 9th September, but just before this important match, there are speculations about a large-scale reshuffle within the team. According to the reports, not only the retirement of many big players from the playing eleven of the Pakistani team is considered certain, but there can also be a big change in the coaching staff and the post of head coach of the team.
The performance of the Pakistani team in this Test series being played in difficult and challenging conditions in England has been very disappointing and poor. The visiting team could not stand against the host England in both the initial test matches and has already lost the series. Now the Pakistani team has one last chance left to end this entire series with at least a respectable margin of 1-2. If we look at the difference between the two matches, Pakistan had to face defeat by a huge margin. The first Test match of the series was lost by the Pakistani team by a huge margin of an innings and 103 runs. After this, when the second Test match was played at the historic ground of Lord's, the margin of defeat definitely reduced slightly, but the result of the match did not change and this time also Pakistan had to face another crushing defeat of 194 runs. This poor performance has shaken the Pakistan Cricket Board and the selectors to the core.
According to media reports, there may be a major change in the coaching setup of Pakistan cricket team before the final and third match of the series to be played in Birmingham. At present, the main responsibility of head coach in red ball cricket i.e. Test format rests with former veteran player Sarfaraz Ahmed. However, according to inside reports, even though Sarfaraz Khan will remain with the Pakistani team in England, the future of his post as head coach is not considered completely secure at the moment. In his place, experienced Mike Hesson, who is currently holding the responsibility of head coach of Pakistan's white-ball (limited overs) teams, can also be given additional responsibility as the head coach of the Test team before the Birmingham Test. However, till now no official confirmation has been given by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) regarding all these changes, but it is believed that the board may take a big decision on this soon.
The batting of the Pakistan team has proved to be so sluggish and weak throughout this tour that the team has not been able to touch the respectable figure of 200 runs even once in the first four innings of the England tour. Many senior and star players may have to suffer the consequences of this poor performance by losing their places. According to media reports, opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq, who got injured during the first Test match, can be sent back home, on whom serious allegations of 'fake injury' are also being made in social media and sports circles. Not only Imam-ul-Haq, but also experienced wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan, who is struggling with poor form, is considered almost certain to be dropped from the Test team. It is clear from this strict stance of the selectors that now players will get a place in the team only on the basis of their performance.
Amidst the poor performance of senior players and speculations about their exit, the Pakistan Cricket Board is now working on a plan to give opportunities to young talent. According to reports, young and talented players Sam Ayub and all-rounder Arafat Minhas have been given the green signal to join the team in English conditions and there have been indications of their immediate call to England. Apart from this, official replacements for other players who are out of the series are also expected to be announced very soon. The Pakistan team management now wants to strengthen the team composition in the final Test against England by fielding young blood, so that the series can at least end with a positive performance.
The news of change of coach and such sudden major changes in the team has come at a time when there is already a very heated atmosphere in Pakistani cricket circles. Interestingly, Mike Hesson and Pakistan Cricket's High-Performance Director Aaqib Javed had reached London even before the results of the Lord's Test were declared. When questions were raised regarding this visit, the PCB clarified that the main reason for this was the hosting of a special dinner organized by King Charles, which is scheduled on September 2. It is being told that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sumair Ahmed and Pakistan Super League (PSL) Chief Salman Naseer can also be a part of this royal dinner. However, experts believe that the reason behind this high-profile London tour is not only the dinner but also the important closed-door meetings and strategic brainstorming of the top officials of the board regarding the future of Pakistani cricket.