Pakistan Coach Sacked and 7 Players Sent Home Ahead of 3rd Test vs England

Pakistan have hit the reset button — and they have done it with just one Test left to play. Pakistan coach sacked and 7 players sent home.

Mohammad Rizwan on the field during the Lord’s Test; the wicketkeeper-batter is among seven players released ahead of the 3rd Test against England.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, replaced bowling coach Umar Gul and sent seven players home following a disastrous start to the Test series against England.

England lead the three-match series 2-0 after convincing victories in the opening two Tests. Pakistan’s latest defeat at Lord’s, a 194-run loss, appears to have pushed the PCB into making dramatic changes.

The decision has effectively turned the final Test at Edgbaston into the beginning of a new era for Pakistan cricket.

Pakistan Coach Sacked Just Months in Charge

Sarfaraz Ahmed’s departure is one of the biggest surprises.

The former Pakistan captain was appointed head coach in April, but his time in charge has lasted only a few months. The Pakistan coach sacked decision comes after a disappointing run of results and growing concerns over the team’s performances.

Mike Hesson, who currently serves as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, will now take charge of the Test side. Ashley Noffke has also been brought in as the new bowling coach.

The changes come amid growing concerns over Pakistan’s lack of consistency.

The team has struggled to establish a settled coaching and leadership structure in recent years, with frequent changes making long-term planning difficult.

Former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has previously criticised the instability surrounding the team, suggesting that constant changes have contributed to its problems.

Seven Players Sent Home

The PCB has also made significant changes to the squad.

Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Imam-ul-Haq, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have all been released from the tour.

The decision to send experienced players home midway through an overseas series underlines just how serious the situation has become.

Rizwan has been an important part of Pakistan’s Test setup, while Salman was captain during the opening Test.

Several younger players have now been brought into the squad, including Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas and Saad Baig.

For them, the crisis represents a major opportunity — but also enormous pressure.

Batting Collapse at the Heart of the Problem

Pakistan’s biggest issue has been their batting.

They have failed to score 200 in any of their four innings during the series, repeatedly losing wickets in clusters and struggling to build partnerships.

England, in contrast, have consistently applied pressure and punished Pakistan’s mistakes.

The second Test highlighted the problem. Pakistan were bowled out for just 110 in their first innings before England went on to secure a comfortable victory.

With the series already lost, the PCB has decided that simply making minor adjustments is no longer enough.

The Pakistan coach sacked decision is therefore part of a much wider overhaul, with the board looking to change both the coaching setup and playing group before the final Test.

Reset or Panic?

The changes could provide Pakistan with the fresh start they desperately need.

However, there is a major risk.

A successful Test side requires stability. Coaches need time to implement their plans, while players need confidence and familiarity with their teammates.

Changing the coaching staff and removing seven players in the middle of a series could create even more uncertainty.

The third Test at Edgbaston will therefore be about more than avoiding a 3-0 series defeat.

It will be the first test of whether Pakistan’s dramatic reset can actually work.

The PCB has pressed the panic button. Now, Pakistan must prove it has a plan.