The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made major changes to the national Test squad ahead of the third and final Test against England in Birmingham, releasing seven players along with coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul.
Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have been released from the squad, according to a PCB press release.
The board has called up seven replacements, including five uncapped players and two cricketers with Test experience.
Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal are the two capped players among the additions, having represented Pakistan in eight and two Tests respectively. Left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas, meanwhile, has played three ODIs and four T20Is for Pakistan.
The changes come after Pakistan suffered a heavy 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord’s. The result gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, following their innings-and-103-run victory in the opening Test.
The other four additions are left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Jnr, wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, right-arm pace-bowling all-rounder Mohammad Imran, also known as Imran Randhawa, and right-arm pace-bowling all-rounder Razaullah.
Saad Baig was named Player of the Tournament in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
The newly selected players will join the Pakistan squad ahead of the third Test in Birmingham.
Meanwhile, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul have also been released from the coaching staff, with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke set to replace them in the backroom team.
Updated Pakistan Test Squad for Birmingham
Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
