PCB's abrupt squad overhaul sparks outrage after England Test defeats

After losing both Tests to England, the PCB recalled seven members of the touring party and sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, appointing Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke for the final match. Players such as Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha learned of their removal from screenshots posted online rather than direct communication. The sudden changes have raised questions about the players' character and future with the team, while former captain Misbah-ul-Haq resigned from the selection panel in protest.

Following a 2-0 defeat in the first two Tests against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced a sweeping reshuffle that saw seven cricketers sent home and two senior coaches dismissed. Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were replaced by white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke ahead of the third Test in Birmingham. Among those recalled were wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, injured opener Imam-ul-Haq, and former Test captain Salman Ali Agha, while all-rounder Aamir Jamal and batter Awais Zafar returned without playing.

Players reported learning of the decisions through social-media screenshots, describing the lack of direct notification as shocking and degrading. The episode has sparked scrutiny of the dismissed players' fitness, character and decision-making, and prompted former captain Misbah-ul-Haq to quit the selection committee after being excluded from the recall process.