Mohammed Yousuf criticises PCB’s squad overhaul before Edgbaston Test

Former Pakistan batsman Mohammed Yousuf has criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to release seven players and two coaches from the squad prior to the third Test against England at Edgbaston, describing it as a reflection of the recurring “internal chaos, differences of opinion and controversies” that have long plagued Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan made extensive changes to their Test squad before the final match of the series, replacing nearly half the team and dismissing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul following heavy defeats in the first two Tests. After losing by an innings in the first Test and by 194 runs in the second, England secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

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The PCB released players Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad. In their place, five uncapped players—Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah—were added alongside Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have limited experience with a combined total of ten matches. Hesson and Ashley Noffke, currently part of Pakistan’s white-ball coaching team, assumed coaching roles for the Test setup.

Posting on X, Yousuf stated, The recent decision

Posting on X, Yousuf stated, “The recent decision by the authorities to recall players and coaching staff from the ongoing tour does not appear to be only performance related. After all, we are not sending legends like Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq, or Saeed Anwar as replacements. Instead, this move reflects the familiar cycle of internal chaos, differences of opinion, and controversies that have long haunted Pakistan cricket. Since the glory of the 1992 World Cup, such turbulence has resurfaced time and again, eroding stability and distracting from the game itself.”

He added, “We have endured such turmoil in different forms many times before, each episode leaving scars on the team’s progress and the fans’ faith. The lesson is clear! Only strong performances and consistent positive results can silence the noise. Pakistan cricket must focus on the field, not the boardroom, if it is to restore credibility and inspire confidence among fans. Success remains the most effective antidote.”

Earlier, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq tendered his resignation from the men’s national selection committee following the PCB’s decision to overhaul the Test squad and coaching staff during the England tour. The PCB has yet to accept his resignation. Misbah also stepped down as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

Misbah, Pakistan’s most successful Test captain until

Misbah, Pakistan’s most successful Test captain until his retirement in 2017, has held multiple roles within the PCB, including head coach and chief selector. He was appointed to the national selection committee in March alongside Aaqib Javed, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq, and was working under a contract requiring 180 days of service annually as a batting consultant.

The PCB reportedly sought explanations from selectors regarding the inclusion of Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, issuing a notice demanding a written response within 24 hours outlining the selection process. Rizwan was Pakistan’s leading Test run-scorer with the highest batting average from 2024 until the West Indies tour, while Imam had played in two Tests during the period but was among the top domestic run-scorers.

Pakistan currently sits at the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings, having lost 15 of their last 20 Tests. They will aim to avoid a 3-0 series defeat when the third Test begins at Edgbaston on September 9.

The Pakistan squad for the Edgbaston Test includes Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique and Ubaid Shah.

Source: thenewsmill.com