Pakistan have responded to their series defeat by England by dropping seven players, calling up five uncapped players, and releasing their head coach. The changes come after two one-sided defeats in the first two Tests against England.
Five of the dropped players – Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, and Khurram Shahzad – had featured in the series. Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar were sent home without playing. Batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have previous Test experience, are among the seven players called up, alongside uncapped newcomers Arafat Minhas, Mohammed Imran Jr, Said Baig, Mohammad Imran, and Razaullah.
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul have been replaced by Pakistan white-ball coach Mike Hesson and former Australia seamer Ashley Noffke. The third and final match of the series is scheduled to begin on 9 September at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Pakistan lost the first Test at Headingley by an innings and the second at Lord's by 194 runs, being bowled out for less than 200 in each of their four innings. The team was also surrounded by controversy during the second Test, with the Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly threatening to cancel the remainder of the match and tour due to an interview broadcast by Sky.