Pakistan spring major Test shake-up, release seven players

There appears to be a major meltdown in the Pakistan team. In a surprise move, the Pakistan team management has released three senior players, including former white-ball captain Salman Agha, from the touring Test side in England.

In what appears to be an unprecedented shake-up, the team management, in obvious consultation with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has effected a sweeping reshuffle, cracking the whip on players for various reasons, ranging from fitness and form to disciplinary issues.

Pakistan are 0-2 down in the ongoing Test series in England. They have lost five of the last six Tests, with the lone win coming against West Indies earlier this month.

According to sources close to the team management in England, Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq have also been released along with Agha. All three have been below par so far in the Tests, which are part of the current WTC cycle. Pakistan, of course, are already out of contention for a place in the WTC final.

The team management has sent call-ups to Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal for the third Test, beginning September 9 in Birmingham. If UK visas can be arranged in time, four others — fast bowlers Razaullah Khan and Mohammad Imran, left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas and wicketkeeper Saad Baig — will also join the squad in England.

There is also a shake-up in the coaching staff. Mike Hesson, Pakistan's white-ball coach, has been asked to take charge of the Test squad. The New Zealander is believed to be in England already and is expected to link up with the side soon.

Hesson will coach the red ball squad for the remainder of the WTC matches in the current cycle — two in Sri Lanka in November and two more in New Zealand early next year. Current Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been sidelined.

PCB confirms releases and sackings

Later on Monday evening, the PCB confirmed the releases. In fact, a PCB statement revealed that the list was much bigger than reported, with seven players, in all, getting the boot. Apart from Rizwan, Imam and Agha, the PCB said Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad had also been called back from England.

The replacements are, as reported earlier, Saim and Fazal, who have played eight and two Tests, respectively, along with five others — Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jr, wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah. The players will join the Pakistan squad ahead of the Birmingham Test.

Additionally, the PCB also confirmed the sacking of coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul who have been replaced by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke.

Updated squad: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper) Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah