Pakistan sacks head coach, sends 7 players home, ahead of 3rd Test in England
The Pakistan Cricket Board has initiated a major squad overhaul by releasing seven players and two coaches following consecutive Test match losses against England. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke have been appointed as the new head and bowling coaches, respectively, ahead of the final Test in Birmingham.
Why it matters
This drastic restructuring reflects the intense pressure on the Pakistan national cricket team to improve performance after a poor series showing, signaling a significant shift in team management and selection strategy.
In an unusual move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday (August 31, 2026) decided to send seven members of its touring Test squad home and replace them with a fresh set of players ahead of the third and final match against England.
Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have all been released from the squad, the PCB announced.
The Board also released head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, replacing them with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, respectively.
The sweeping changes come after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests at Leeds and Lord's. The third and final Test is scheduled to begin on September 9.
The seven replacements are Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Saad Baig, Muhammad Randhawa, Razaullah and Muhammad Imran Jnr.
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