Sudden overhaul

Editorial Published September 2, 2026 Updated September 2, 2026 08: 17pm.

Key points

• Others include wicket-keeper Saad Baig, seamer Mohammed Imran Jr and all-rounders Mohammad Imran and Razaullah, with the quartet being uncapped in any format by Pakistan.
• Although led by batting superstar Babar Azam, Pakistan have failed to post a total of 200 in the series against England so far.
• The setbacks in England mean Pakistan have now lost five of their last six Tests, their sole victory coming against the West Indies in August.
• Former cricketers and critics have slammed PCB's actions, calling for more consistency and proper decision-making.

Editorial Published September 2, 2026 Updated September 2, 2026 08: 17pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

THE logic of the decision has been questioned, with critics accusing cricket authorities in the country of pressing the panic button after the national team's successive Test thrashings at the hands of England. The overhaul of the squad before the third and final game of the series was indeed unprecedented: head coach Sarfraz Ahmed and fast-bowling coach Umar Gul were sent home alongside seven other players after England clinched the series with a 194-run rout of the tourists at Lord's on Sunday.

Having witnessed defeat by an innings and 103 runs in the series opener, the Pakistan Cricket Board clearly hopes that cricketing pride can be restored in the third Test that begins on Sept 9. The setbacks in England mean Pakistan have now lost five of their last six Tests, their sole victory coming against the West Indies in August. They are rock bottom in the World Test Championship standings, and are apparently headed towards a repeat of their last-place finish in the previous cycle.

Their position demonstrates how far Pakistan have fallen. Although led by batting superstar Babar Azam, Pakistan have failed to post a total of 200 in the series against England so far. Babar, who returned as Test captain during the series against the West Indies, missed the first Test due to injury and failed to inspire his side when he returned. Salman Agha, who stood for him in the opener, was dropped from the second Test; he is one of seven players axed alongside senior wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan, opener Imam-ul-Haq, spinner Ali Usman, pacer Khurram Shahzad, all-rounder Aamir Jamal and batter Mohammad Awais Zafar. While Ashley Noffke comes in for Umar, sarfraz, who had helmed just five matches, has been replaced by Pakistan's white-ball coach Mike Hesson.

It remains to be seen, though, how PCB's knee-jerk reaction plays out with selectors having drafted in white-ball players – notably batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal and spinner Arafat Minhas. Others include wicket-keeper Saad Baig, seamer Mohammed Imran Jr and all-rounders Mohammad Imran and Razaullah, with the quartet being uncapped in any format by Pakistan.

Former cricketers and critics have slammed PCB's actions, calling for more consistency and proper decision-making. The PCB might stand vindicated at the end of it all but it is time it realised that merely changing personnel might not work in the long run. Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2026.

For now, sudden overhaul remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.