Babar says Pakistan squad changes were news to him
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 9, 2026, 6:26 AM
Last updated Sep 9, 2026
Babar confirms he had no prior knowledge of the Pakistan Cricket Board's significant changes to the Test squad following the match at Lord's. The captain stated the wholesale roster overhaul came as a surprise when he was informed of the decisions. These modifications to the player group occurred despite his position as the leader of the side. The Pakistan Cricket Board has not publicly detailed the specific rationale behind the sudden personnel shifts. Babar remains the captain amid the ongoing uncertainty regarding the new team selection and the internal communication process between the board and the playing squad. No further information regarding potential talks between the leadership and officials has been provided.
- •Babar states the Pakistan Test squad changes were unexpected.
- •The squad overhaul followed the team's appearance at Lord's.
- •Babar indicates he was not consulted by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
- •The board has not provided reasons for the sudden roster changes.
- 6:26 AMYahoo Sports — ‘The series is lost but we have nothing to lose’: Babar Azam rallies Pakistan for Edgbaston Test against England
- 7:23 PMYahoo Sports — Babar Azam breaks silence on Pakistan cricket’s mid-series shake-up, says 'it was news to me as well'
- 4:07 PMYahoo Sports — Babar Azam: Pakistan's squad overhaul before England cricket test was 'news to me'
- 2:28 PMESPNcricinfo — Babar: Pakistan's wholesale squad changes were 'news to me'
"Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, voiced his astonishment over the recent changes made to the squad. He revealed that the Pakistan Cricket Board made these decisions independently, without consulting him. Following recent losses, seven players were axed, and the coaching staff saw modifications as well. Azam assured his fitness to lead the team in the upcoming final Test against England with a notably reshaped roster.
"Pakistan captain Babar Azam admitted he was blindsided by the decision to tear up his squad ahead of this week's final cricket test against England, saying the drastic cull was "news to me." Babar learned of the wholesale changes only after an official statement by the Pakistan Cricket Board, he said on Tuesday, the day before the third test at Edgbaston. “It was news to me,” Babar said in Urdu.
"Pakistan captain Babar Azam wants his team to play freely in the final Test. The Pakistan Cricket Board made significant changes after two heavy defeats. Seven players were released and new faces joined the touring squad. Babar Azam expressed surprise at the mid-series squad overhaul. He believes the new players can make an impact in the upcoming match.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 9, 2026, 6:26 AM‘The series is lost but we have nothing to lose’: Babar Azam rallies Pakistan for Edgbaston Test against England
Pakistan captain Babar Azam wants his team to play freely in the final Test. The Pakistan Cricket Board made significant changes after two heavy defeats. Seven players were released and new faces joined the touring squad. Babar Azam expressed surprise at the mid-series squad overhaul. He believes the new players can make an impact in the upcoming match.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 7:23 PMBabar Azam breaks silence on Pakistan cricket’s mid-series shake-up, says 'it was news to me as well'
Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, voiced his astonishment over the recent changes made to the squad. He revealed that the Pakistan Cricket Board made these decisions independently, without consulting him. Following recent losses, seven players were axed, and the coaching staff saw modifications as well. Azam assured his fitness to lead the team in the upcoming final Test against England with a notably reshaped roster.
- Yahoo SportsSep 8, 2026, 4:07 PMBabar Azam: Pakistan's squad overhaul before England cricket test was 'news to me'
Pakistan captain Babar Azam admitted he was blindsided by the decision to tear up his squad ahead of this week's final cricket test against England, saying the drastic cull was "news to me." Babar learned of the wholesale changes only after an official statement by the Pakistan Cricket Board, he said on Tuesday, the day before the third test at Edgbaston. “It was news to me,” Babar said in Urdu.
- ESPNcricinfoSep 8, 2026, 2:28 PMBabar: Pakistan's wholesale squad changes were 'news to me'
Captain admits he was left in the dark by the PCB's upending of the Test squad, post-Lord's
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