Pakistan cricket has entered a state of turmoil following significant changes to the Test squad and coaching staff ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released seven players and removed coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul from their roles. Additionally, the PCB has requested a detailed written explanation from the selection committee regarding the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq in the squad.
The players released include Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad. The notice to the selection committee was issued on Monday, coinciding with the announcement of these changes. The committee has been given 24 hours to justify the selection of Rizwan and Imam and to clarify the decision-making process involved.
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From the beginning of 2024 until the West Indies tour, Mohammad Rizwan was Pakistan’s leading Test run-scorer and held the highest batting average in the team. Imam-ul-Haq, by contrast, had participated in only two Tests during this period but ranked among the top run-scorers in domestic cricket.
In response to the PCB’s overhaul, former Pakistan
In response to the PCB’s overhaul, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has offered his resignation from the men’s national selection committee, a move the PCB has yet to accept. Misbah has also stepped down from his position as batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
Pakistan’s revised squad includes five uncapped players: Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah, alongside Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, whose combined experience amounts to only 10 matches.
Meanwhile, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke have joined the Test coaching staff ahead of the third Test match.
Source: thenewsmill.com
