Pakistan Squad Overhaul
Pakistan Overhauls Squad and Names Babar Azam Captain for Edgbaston Test
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Key Points
1
Umar Gul was replaced as bowling coach by Ashley Noffke, while white-ball coach Mike Hesson was appointed to oversee the Test side for the third and final match.
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The travel squad for Edgbaston includes five uncapped players: Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jr., Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah.
3
Babar Azam was named captain for the third Test at Edgbaston, replacing Salman Ali Agha in the captaincy role for that match.
4
Saad Baig was included as the wicketkeeper in the Edgbaston squad, signaling a change behind the stumps after Rizwan’s omission from the tour.
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A high-level PCB meeting after the Lord's defeat discussed the ongoing strategy, with Mike Hesson set to remain in charge of the team and senior officials Mohsin Naqvi, Sumair Ahmed, Salman Naseer and Aaqib Javed in attendance.
Pakistan gutted its Test squad after humiliating back-to-back defeats to England, replacing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and sending seven players home before the third Test at Edgbaston. Brandon Sun reported the PCB ousted bowling coach Umar Gul as well, promoting white-ball chief Mike Hesson to take charge for the final match. The shakeup came after Pakistan failed to score 200 runs in any innings, including a devastating 194-run loss at Lord's that left the team down 2-0 in the series.
Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq, and captain Salman Ali Agha were among those dropped, with Babar Azam reclaimed as captain for Edgbaston. Richmond News noted the squad included five uncapped players: Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jr., Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran, and Razaullah. The overhaul signals desperation from Pakistan's cricket board, which faced mounting media criticism over fitness issues and injury credibility concerns.
Consecutive Defeats Trigger Historic Coaching Shift
Pakistan's collapse in the opening two Tests forced the PCB's hand. Winnipeg Free Press confirmed that Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were sent home to be replaced. Ashley Noffke took over as the new bowling coach while Mike Hesson moved from the white-ball team to oversee Test cricket for the Edgbaston match. The decision underscores how badly Pakistan has performed under Sarfaraz's leadership in England.
Pakistan struggled to build innings, failing to reach 200 even once across four completed Test innings. The Lord's defeat was the breaking point, prompting senior PCB officials—including Mohsin Naqvi and Sumair Ahmed—to meet and authorize the overhaul. Chat News Today reported the sweeping changes came after internal scrutiny intensified over the team's batting collapse and overall strategy.
Seven Dropped Players and Five Uncapped Newcomers
The Pakistan batting order was gutted. Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, and Awais Zafar all exited the touring party. St Albert Gazette confirmed five uncapped players were added to the Edgbaston squad: Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jr., Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran, and Razaullah. Saad Baig was named the new wicketkeeper, replacing Rizwan behind the stumps.
Babar Azam reclaimed the captaincy after Salman Ali Agha was dropped. The new XI includes young opener Saim Ayub and all-rounder Abdullah Fazal, signaling Pakistan's intent to inject fresh talent and urgency into the final Test. This wholesale reshaping reflects the PCB's desperation to salvage the series at Edgbaston.
Imam-ul-Haq's Fitness Questions Add to Team Turmoil
Imam-ul-Haq's omission adds another layer of controversy. Reports alleged the opening batsman faked an injury during previous tours, with the PCB launching a 2025 inquiry into the claims. His calf-injury saga and history of disputed fitness assessments raised credibility concerns, contributing to his removal from the England tour and his departure home from the squad.
The injuries and credibility questions have fueled debate over Pakistan cricket's accountability culture. Amid media scrutiny and internal divisions, Hesson's appointment signals the PCB wants to reset leadership at least through the Edgbaston Test. Whether the new-look squad can compete remains unclear, but the overhaul shows how dire Pakistan's situation has become.
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