Babar says was surprised by PCB’s decision to sack Sarfraz, send seven players home

Babar notes was surprised by PCB's decision to sack Sarfraz, send seven players home.

Key points

• Dawn Sport Published September 8, 2026 Updated September 8, 2026 07: 42pm.
• They were replaced by white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, respectively.
• While Sarfraz and Umar bore the brunt of the PCB's action, Babar was retained to lead the side in the final Test.
• "It was news to me as well, " Babar remarked during the pre-match press conference ahead of the final Test at Edgbaston.
• As it emerged afterwards, were planned outside the Pakistan dressing room by the national selection panel, the wholesale changes.

Dawn Sport Published September 8, 2026 Updated September 8, 2026 07: 42pm. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) decision to sack the national team's head coach and send seven players back home after the defeat against England at Lord's last week came as a surprise to captain Babar Azam, he disclosed on Tuesday.

For context, the 194-run drubbing – which sealed the three-match series for the hosts – was followed by Sarfraz Ahmed's removal as Pakistan's head coach and Umar Gul's dismissal as bowling coach. They were replaced by white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, respectively.

While five of the replacements flown to the UK were uncapped players, seven players, including seasoned campaigners Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, were axed from the squad midway through the series.

As it emerged afterwards, were planned outside the Pakistan dressing room by the national selection panel, the wholesale changes. As was the case with most members of the team's contingent, the developments came as a surprise to Babar as well.

"It was news to me as well, " Babar remarked during the pre-match press conference ahead of the final Test at Edgbaston. "I only found out about these things later."

After the PCB's dramatic move, the board's high-performance director and selector Aaqib Javed disclosed that the decision to sack the coaching staff was a reaction to their inability to create certain selection calls ahead of the second Test.

While Sarfraz and Umar bore the brunt of the PCB's action, Babar was retained to lead the side in the final Test. The captain, nevertheless, distanced himself from the board's decisions.

But as I said, the PCB made the decisions, so I think they would be better placed to explain them, he remarked. As a player and as captain, I have to go along with the decision created by the cricket board, Whatever decision the PCB has taken.

.The PCB would have created its decision after giving it considerable thought.

"In my opinion, it would be better to ask them about it because they would be able to explain it much better."

Babar additionally provided a straight "no" when asked whether he was aware of the PCB's internal inquiry into the discipline and conduct of certain players.

Babar and his players have little option but to put a tumultuous week behind them and focus on what they can produce on the field. To do so, nevertheless, he and Hesson have a number of fresh faces to choose from.

While Saim Ayub – who has eight Tests to his name – is anticipated to return to the side, the uncapped duo of pacer Razaullah and all-rounder Arafat Minhas could create their debuts.

Babar described the situation as an opportunity for the young players against the backdrop of the chaos.

".The new players are coming in, and they have a golden opportunity to grab it and play this game, " he remarked, adding that the final Test, being a dead rubber, could assist Pakistan handle the pressure better.

"For us, this is an opportunity as a team and as a group. The series is lost, but we have nothing to lose. So we can play freely, go out onto the ground and believe in ourselves as a team, " he continued.

"We have had a couple of days of practice and have spoken to each other a lot. Whenever a new team or a youngster comes in, there is a little excitement, and that excitement is visible."

Taken together, the developments around babar says was surprised by PCB's decision to sack Sarfraz, send seven point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.