Pakistan drops seven players and removes head coach mid-series
3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 10:36 PM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
Pakistan has released head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul following consecutive heavy losses to England in the current Test series. Alongside these staff changes, the team management dropped seven players from the squad ahead of the final Test at Edgbaston. Those removed include Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Aamir Jamal, and Muhammad Awais Jafar. Pakistan appointed Mike Hesson as the new head coach, supported by former Australia seamer Ashley Noffke. The team struggled significantly in the opening matches, losing by an innings at Headingley and by 194 runs at Lord's. The series concludes with the third Test beginning on 9 September.
- •Pakistan dropped seven players and replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed.
- •Five uncapped players join the squad for the third Test at Edgbaston.
- •Mike Hesson takes over as head coach with Ashley Noffke as his assistant.
- •The final Test of the series is scheduled to start on 9 September.
- 10:36 PMYahoo Sports — Major shake-up in Pakistan cricket after Lord’s rout: Seven players, coaches Sarfaraz, Gul released
- 9:30 PMYahoo Sports — Pakistan drop seven players and release head coach
- 4:20 PMBBC Sport — Pakistan drop seven players and release head coach
"Following a string of losses, the Pakistan Cricket Board has made significant changes by releasing seven players and parts of the coaching staff. Five new uncapped players have been brought on board, while Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul step aside from their coaching positions. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will now oversee the coaching duties as the team readies itself for the third Test match against England at Edgbaston.
"Pakistan respond to their series defeat by England by taking the extraordinary step of dropping seven players, calling up five uncapped players and releasing their head coach.
"Pakistan respond to their series defeat by England by taking the extraordinary step of dropping seven players, calling up five uncapped players and releasing their head coach.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 10:36 PMMajor shake-up in Pakistan cricket after Lord’s rout: Seven players, coaches Sarfaraz, Gul released
Following a string of losses, the Pakistan Cricket Board has made significant changes by releasing seven players and parts of the coaching staff. Five new uncapped players have been brought on board, while Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul step aside from their coaching positions. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke will now oversee the coaching duties as the team readies itself for the third Test match against England at Edgbaston.
- Yahoo SportsAug 31, 2026, 9:30 PMPakistan drop seven players and release head coach
Pakistan respond to their series defeat by England by taking the extraordinary step of dropping seven players, calling up five uncapped players and releasing their head coach.
- BBC SportAug 31, 2026, 4:20 PMPakistan drop seven players and release head coach
Pakistan respond to their series defeat by England by taking the extraordinary step of dropping seven players, calling up five uncapped players and releasing their head coach.
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