Pakistan sacks head coach, sends 7 players home, ahead of 3rd Test in England

In an uncommon transfer, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday (August 31, 2026) determined to ship seven members of its touring Check squad residence and change them with a contemporary set of gamers forward of the third and ultimate match towards England.

Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have all been launched from the squad, the PCB introduced.

The Board additionally launched head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, changing them with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, respectively.

The sweeping modifications come after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats within the first two Checks at Leeds and Lord’s. The third and ultimate Check is scheduled to start on September 9.

The seven replacements are Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Saad Baig, Muhammad Randhawa, Razaullah and Muhammad Imran Jnr.

Of the seven, 5 have performed worldwide cricket, whereas two — Muhammad Randhawa and Razaullah — are but to characterize Pakistan at any stage.

Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have performed eight and two Checks respectively, whereas left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas has represented Pakistan in three ODIs and 4 T20Is.

The opposite 4 gamers embody left-arm quick bowler Mohammad Imran Jnr, wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, who was the Participant of the Match within the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, and right-arm pace-bowling all-rounders Mohammad Imran, often known as Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah.

The gamers will be part of the Pakistan squad forward of the third Check in Birmingham.

Up to date Pakistan Check squad

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. PTI Cor AH