Pakistan have made as many as seven changes to their squad for the third Test against England. Yes, you heard it right. Seven players have been released and seven replacements have been called up ahead of the final Test at Edgbaston.
These are the kind of drastic decisions that have often been associated with Pakistan cricket. There is no denying that Pakistan have performed poorly in this series. The intent and fighting spirit of several players have also been questioned after two heavy defeats.
However, making seven changes in the middle of a Test series raises another big question: is this really the right way to deal with poor performances?
Seven Players Released From Pakistan Squad for Third Test Against England
The Pakistan Cricket Board has officially released Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad following the second Test at Lord’s.
Some very big names are on that list.
Mohammad Rizwan has been one of Pakistan’s senior players for several years, while Salman Ali Agha has also been an important part of their Test setup. Salman even captained Pakistan in the opening Test at Headingley when regular captain Babar Azam was unavailable.
His captaincy and Pakistan’s overall performance in that match came under heavy criticism as England completely dominated the visitors.
Imam-ul-Haq is another major name released from the squad. However, his situation is slightly different.
The opener suffered a left calf injury while fielding on the opening day of the second Test at Lord’s. Scans later confirmed a low-grade calf strain, and he was unable to bat in the match.
There was outside criticism and discussion around the injury, but the PCB officially confirmed that Imam had suffered a calf strain.
Apart from these three, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have also been released.
Five Test-Uncapped Players Called Up
Pakistan have named seven replacements, and this is where things become even more interesting.
The seven players called up are:
- Saim Ayub
- Abdullah Fazal
- Arafat Minhas
- Mohammad Imran Jnr
- Saad Baig
- Mohammad Imran (Imran Randhawa)
- Razaullah
Five of these seven players are yet to play Test cricket for Pakistan.
Arafat Minhas is uncapped in Tests but has already represented Pakistan in international cricket, playing three ODIs and four T20Is. The left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder has now been given an opportunity to push for his Test debut.
Mohammad Imran Jnr, wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, pace-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah are the other Test-uncapped players in the group.
Saad Baig’s selection is particularly interesting. The wicketkeeper-batter was named Player of the Tournament in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal are the only two replacements with previous Test experience.
Saim has played eight Tests, while Abdullah Fazal has featured in two. Combined, they have played only 10 Test matches.
It means Pakistan are going into the final Test with a considerably different and inexperienced group despite already being 2-0 down in the series.
Pakistan Also Change Coaching Setup
The changes are not limited to the playing squad.
Pakistan have also changed their coaching setup before the third Test.
Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been released from the backroom staff. Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and white-ball bowling coach Ashley Noffke will replace them.
Hesson will now take charge of the team for the third Test.
So, Pakistan have not only changed seven members of their playing squad but have also made major changes to their coaching staff in the middle of an international Test series.
Were Such Drastic Changes Really Needed?
Pakistan’s performance in the first two Tests certainly deserves criticism.
They lost the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before England defeated them by 194 runs at Lord’s to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.
More worrying has been their batting performance. Pakistan have failed to reach 200 in any of their four innings in the series.
So, changes were expected.
But seven changes at once?
That is where the decision becomes debatable.
Poor performances should have consequences, particularly when a team repeatedly fails to show enough resistance. However, changing almost half of the squad during a three-match series can also create instability.
Pakistan now have several young and inexperienced players entering the dressing room just before a Test against an England side that has already dominated the series.
The PCB will hope that fresh faces can bring fresh energy. At the same time, the third Test will tell us whether these sweeping changes improve Pakistan’s performance or simply add more uncertainty to an already struggling Test side.
Updated Pakistan Squad for Third Test Against England
Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
The Pakistan squad for third Test against England now looks very different from the one that started the series.
Whether seven changes and a new coaching setup can change their fortunes remains to be seen. But after two heavy defeats, Pakistan have clearly decided that continuing with the same combination was no longer an option.
The third and final Test begins at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on September 9.