{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Pakistan Shakes Up Cricket Team Mid Tour by Dropping Test Coach Sarfraz Ahmed",
  "summary": "Following consecutive Test defeats in England, the Pakistan Cricket Board has removed coach Sarfraz Ahmed and appointed Mike Hesson to lead the red-ball side, alongside sending three senior players home.",
  "content": "Facing sharp criticism worldwide after suffering two consecutive Test match losses on English soil, the Pakistan Cricket Board has taken a major step by asking white-ball coach Mike Hesson to take charge of the Test team as well. The upcoming third Test match is scheduled to be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham starting from September 9.\n\nSarfraz Ahmed and Umar Gul Removed\nIn the wake of these poor results, current Test coach Sarfraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been removed from their coaching roles, though they will continue travelling with the squad. England currently holds an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.\n\nUpcoming Matches in Sri Lanka and New Zealand\nNew Zealand-born Hesson is reportedly already in England and is expected to join the team shortly. Hesson will coach the side during two matches in Sri Lanka in November and two matches in New Zealand early next year. This will conclude Pakistan's campaign in the current WTC cycle, as the team has already been eliminated from the race for the WTC final.\n\nThree Senior Players Sent Back\nThe team management has also made drastic changes to the playing roster by releasing three senior players from the Test squad currently touring England, including former white-ball captain Salman Agha. Strict action was taken due to a combination of fitness issues, poor form, and disciplinary concerns. Along with Agha, Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq have also been released from the squad.\n\nNew Additions to the Squad\nSaim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have been called up for the third Test match. If UK visas are arranged in time, four more players including fast bowlers Razaullah Khan and Mohammad Imran, left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas, and wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir are set to join the team in England.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis major organizational shake-up will directly impact the Pakistan cricket team's performance and upcoming matches.\n\n• Across India: For cricket enthusiasts and sports analysts in India, this development offers a close look at the ongoing administrative turbulence and selection challenges in neighbouring cricket.\n• In England and Pakistan: The sudden shift in coaching leadership and roster changes ahead of the third Test in Birmingham will significantly influence team morale and the outcome of the final match.\n\nWhy this happened\nThis drastic decision stems from consecutive Test defeats and an overall dismal performance during the ongoing tour of England.\n\n• Poor Results and Defeats: Suffering two straight losses in the opening Tests against England drew severe global criticism, pushing the board to take immediate corrective action.\n• Fitness and Disciplinary Concerns: Strict action was taken against certain senior members due to mounting concerns over player fitness, poor current form, and internal discipline.\n• WTC Elimination: With Pakistan already out of contention for the WTC final, the board opted to restructure the coaching setup to prepare for future series.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. When and where is Pakistan's next Test match scheduled?\nThe next Test match is scheduled to be played at Edgbaston in Birmingham starting from September 9.\n\n2. Who has been appointed as the new Test coach for Pakistan?\nWhite-ball coach Mike Hesson has been asked to take charge of the Test team as well.\n\n3. Which coaches have been removed from their positions?\nCurrent Test coach Sarfraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been removed from their coaching roles.\n\n4. Which senior players were released from the England tour?\nSalman Agha, Mohammad Rizwan, and Imam-ul-Haq have been released from the Test squad.\n\n5. Who has been called up for the third Test match?\nSaim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have been called up to join the squad for the third Test.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/inglainda-daure-ke-bicha-pakistan-kriketa-men-bara-ulataphera-test-kocha-sarfraz-ahmed-ko-hataya-gaya-25320",
  "category": "Cricket",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-31",
  "tags": [
    "Pakistan Cricket",
    "Mike Hesson",
    "Sarfraz Ahmed",
    "England Tour",
    "PCB"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}