Pakistan’s Test series against England has been marked by significant upheaval off the field. The team lost the first Test by an innings and 103 runs, then suffered a second Test defeat by 194 runs, leaving England with a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The third Test is scheduled to begin on September 9 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
In response to the poor results, the Pakistan Cricket Board released seven players from the squad: Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad. The board also removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke set to take charge for the final match. Replacements brought into the squad include Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Junior, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah.
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has strongly criticised the manner in which these changes were executed.
“The players dropped from the squad are still our national cricketers who have served Pakistan. Phrases like ‘sent on the first flight back’ are disrespectful. Accountability should start with those who broke the system, not with players specially those who were on the bench or have played 2-3 test matches. Plus accountability starts once a tour is done not in the middle of it,” said Malik as quoted by Geo Super.
The mental toll of mid-series changes
Malik further highlighted the mental pressure players face, warning that constant criticism on social media could create a fear of failure within the team.
“Players should not be going through such mental stress and a social media after every bad game or the fear of failure will settle in the minds of our players,” Malik said.
Pakistan’s squad for the third Test vs England:
Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah
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