Things aren't rosy in the Pakistani cricket camp. They have lost a Test series against England and their response is quite shocking and radical. Several members have been sent home. Additionally, a player is being investigated for his injury.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made sweeping changes to Pakistan’s Test set-up following the Lord’s Test against England; releasing seven players and revamping the red-ball coaching team ahead of the Birmingham Test.
Mohammad Rizwan; Imam-ul-Haq; Salman Ali Agha; Ali Usman; Aamir Jamal; Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have been left out of the squad, according to the PCB.
The board has called up: Saim Ayub; Abdullah Fazal; Arafat Minhas; Imran Junior; Saad Baig; Imran Randhawa and Razaullah as replacements. The new additions are expected to link up with the team ahead of the Birmingham Test; which is scheduled to start on 9 September.
The overhaul also extends to the coaching department. Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been removed as head coach; while former fast bowler Umar Gul has also been released from his position as bowling coach. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke have subsequently joined Pakistan’s red-ball coaching set-up.
The selection changes bring several younger players into the squad, with Saim Ayub, Arafat Minhas and Saad Baig among the notable inclusions. At the same time, the release of established names such as Rizwan, Imam and Salman signals a significant shift in the team’s Test selection approach.
Former Pakistan batter and PCB chairman, Ramiz Raja, has criticised the current board for what he described as a panic-driven response to the team's disastrous Test tour of England.
Ramiz believes the scale and timing of the overhaul could further damage the confidence of the Pakistan players rather than solve the team's problems.
"I'm trying to convince myself this is all OK, but it is not. It just shows Pakistan cricket has hit a panic button. It's not good for the game, it's not good for the confidence of the players who have come in, or for the players who are left, because it makes you a selfish team," Ramiz said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "What is the guarantee they will get the results? Some of these guys have not played Test cricket. I've got no idea why this was done," he added.
Pakistan's performances in England have been poor from the outset. Pakistan's decision to make wholesale changes to their squad and coaching set-up during the series in England has been branded the "most shocking decision ever by a selection committee" by former captain, Shahid Afridi.
They suffered an innings defeat in the opening Test at Headingley before England won the Lord's Test by 194 runs. Across their four innings in the series, Pakistan have failed to reach 200 on every occasion.
However, Ramiz questioned whether replacing such a large number of players midway through a tour could suddenly change the team's fortunes.
"I'm really not happy with the situation. How many times have we seen this happen in world cricket? Never, ever. This is more like football, midway through the season, firing a manager. If you ask me how things can be fixed, I've got no idea," said Ramiz.
The former PCB chairman also pointed to the uncertainty created for both the players being sent home and those suddenly brought into the squad.
With the third Test fast approaching, several newcomers will be expected to adapt quickly to Test cricket and the conditions in England.
The PCB's drastic decisions have come during an already turbulent tour.
The Lord's Test was played against the backdrop of an off-field dispute involving the sons of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan.
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Sky Sports broadcast an interview with Suleiman and Kasim Khan during the lunch interval on the opening day. The programme focused on their father's circumstances and prompted reports that the PCB had considered withdrawing Pakistan from the remainder of the Test and potentially the tour.
Pakistan ultimately continued playing, while captain Babar Azam and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said they were unaware of any plan to boycott the match.
The timing of the latest changes has also attracted attention because the Pakistan squad is scheduled to meet King Charles at Clarence House during its stay in the UK.
Pakistan's decision to make wholesale changes to their squad and coaching set-up during the series in England has been branded the "most shocking decision ever by a selection committee" by former captain, Shahid Afridi.
"Not sure what is the logic or reasoning behind this decision!" Afridi wrote on social media. "Even the replacements make no sense - T20 players have been included for a Test match in England? What is this thinking and approach? Why has the coach been axed after five Test matches? This is the most shocking decision ever by a selection committee which includes so many experienced selectors."
Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has strongly criticised the country's cricket system after Pakistan currently suffering a 2-0 Test series defeat against England. He questioned the team's selection, coaching, domestic cricket structure and the lack of accountability within the PCB.
Pakistan's 194-run loss at Lord's gave England an unassailable lead in the series. In response, Pakistan released seven players from the squad and removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. But Kaneria believes changing personnel will not solve the deeper problems.
Kaneria said Pakistan's cricket has lost its competitiveness and the fighting spirit that was once associated with the team. He also criticised the repeated changes in leadership and selection.
"It's a shame that after 70 years, Pakistan has gone through such a disaster. There is no logic, selection committee, or play. They are just good for nothing. You see, such a bad performance. If a person loses, he tries and fights before losing. The fight has to be visible. Here, there's no fight. No one knows anything," he told news agency, IANS.
He also questioned why coaches and selectors are appointed for short periods before being removed; saying the system needs stability and people who are willing to take responsibility for both wins and losses.
Kaneria was particularly unhappy with Pakistan's bowling options. He pointed out that experienced players such as Mohammad Abbas, who took nine wickets at Lord's and spinner Noman Ali have been overlooked despite performing well.
"And the bowling attack is pathetic. Who is Muhammad Shahzad? Where did he come from? He doesn't have any line or length. No swing, no reverse swing. Nothing."
He also criticised Pakistan's batting approach in English conditions, particularly the dismissals of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
"Like a player of the calibre of Babar Azam is getting out like this. This is pathetic. And then you are keeping Rizwan for so long. I don't know what he is doing. Why is he even there?"
Kaneria believes the problems begin well before players reach the national team. He blamed the weakening of domestic cricket and the closure of departmental cricket for reducing the quality of Pakistan's talent pool.
"I like how the BCCI have put in their contracts that first class cricket is important. At least you play 5 to 6 games. None of our boys play domestic. And this downfall of Pakistan cricket started when the structure of domestic cricket changed."
He argued that selectors need to regularly watch domestic matches instead of relying heavily on performances in the Pakistan Super League.
"The reason is that the talent pool has been eliminated. There is no doubt there's talent pool in Pakistan but this selection happens mostly based on PSL."
Kaneria called for a strong selection committee; an experienced coach and a settled group of players who are given enough time to develop.
"There are only a few players around whom Pakistan cricket revolves. There is no improvement. Need a strong coach and a strong selection committee."
Above all, he wants Pakistan to regain its competitive spirit. "We also used to lose. But fight and lose. At least fight. Fight, try at least! But there is no effort."
Faced with a massive fourth innings target of 389 to win the match, Pakistan suffered a blow before the innings even started. Imam-ul-Haq, who had sustained a grade-one calf strain on Day 1, was ruled out of the remaining Test. With the visitors losing three wickets within the first nine overs, Haq's presence was severely missed.
Critics, however, believed that the opening batter was simply acting injured. Things took a turn for the worse when he was spotted hobbling around the sidelines during lunch wearing shorts with his taped-up calf visible. This scene only added to the scrutiny around him.
Among the chief critics of his attitude was former English bowler, Stuart Broad. The pacer was quick to take a dig on the opener and called him out during the session break. According to the England legend, Haq could've handled things in a better way.
When pointed out how Haq's presence on the ground could be an encouraging sign for the visitors, Broad was quick to dismiss it as just a show. "That's all for show," Broad stated bluntly. For him, the opener's attempts were simply to escape the heat from fans and media.
"He's had a bit of stick from the media, maybe team-mates, whatever. You can do that in an indoor school without anyone seeing you," Broad said. "You don't have to wear shorts and a bit of tape and hobble around like that, I'm sorry. I am not that impressed with that."
For someone who played 167 Test matches across a decades-long career, Broad understands firsthand how to mitigate injuries. For him, Haq's hobbling and wobbling wasn't an attempt to bring positivity around his condition but just an attempt to escape the locker room's scrutiny.
While Haq himself might have been looking to make the best out of his limited mobility, Broad's scepticism aligns with growing scrutiny surrounding Imam's injury track record.
Former Pakistan chief selector Mohammad Wasim previously raised questions over the authenticity of Haq's fitness issues; recalling a similar incident during the 2022 Multan Test against England where Imam opted not to open in the second innings before batting later at number five.
While the PCB medical panel confirmed a low-grade tear via scans, Wasim's past allegations have resurfaced amidst Pakistan's dismal batting performance; fuelling anger among supporters who feel the team lacked fight at a critical juncture. While this time there's evidence of an actual injury, fans continue to take shots at him.
One fan quickly joined in to support Broad's take as he tweeted, "Brutal from Broad around 3m". To him, Broad's assessment of the Pakistani opener remains true. Meanwhile, some others still believe that Haq isn't actually injured.
One fan tweeted, 'He @StuartBroad8.' is spot on about this actor Imam wearing a short hobbling around could have gone in indoor practice facility rather than this! It clearly means that this dramabaz is doing a cheap acting stunt which like I said before ALL cricketers can see and understand!!"
They added to the belief that the Pakistani opener was simply doing this for the sympathy. While, his strain remains confirmed by the PCB themselves, this whole incident speaks more about the national side's attitude than Haq's intent.
Stuart Broad's refusal to buy into Imam-ul-Haq's sideline routine highlights a fundamental difference in culture and accountability. Instead of actually training and rehabilitating to help the national side, the opener instead continued to wander on the field with a taped-up leg.
Not only that, coupled with Wasim's earlier allegations, the whole thing just paints an image of frailty and doubt around the Pakistani side. The visitors have already been struggling overseas with just one win in their last ten away tests.
With those numbers at stake, Haq's whole attitude is something that is proving a painful point. The current crop of Pakistani cricketers might not have the grit for playing the longest format.
Former Pakistan captain and selection committee member, Misbah Ul-Haq later resigned in protest at not being consulted over the changes, sources told AFP. "Misbah sent his resignation to the PCB by email on Monday night and is yet to receive a reply," sources close to Misbah said.
Several former coaches and players were left shocked over the unprecedented shake-up with a match still to play.
"What an absolutely ridiculous situation," ex-Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur told AFP from the United Kingdom. "It makes me sad because I know what Pakistan could become with proper leadership, planning and structure."
He added it was "very disrespectful" to have sacked Ahmed.
Former selector and Pakistan spinner Tauseef Ahmed called the changes "unprecedented and unjust", adding they had "created a polluted atmosphere in Pakistan cricket. "You don't treat your senior players like this," Tauseef told AFP.
Former Pakistan captains Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik were also critical of the decision. "It's not the way to treat your senior players," Afridi told AFP. "Such major decisions during a series are disturbing."
"The players dropped from the squad are still our national cricketers who have served Pakistan," said Malik, adding: "Accountability starts once a tour is done, not in the middle of it."
Pakistan will now attempt to salvage something from the tour when they face England in the third and final Test in Birmingham.
I have to agree with the former professionals. The move is one out of desperation. There was no need for such drastic actions to happen immediately. A thorough review could've taken place afterwards. The series is lost. The only thing Pakistan are playing for are points and pride.