Pakistan Overhauls Test Squad, Sacks Coach After England Losses

The Pakistan Cricket Board has undertaken a dramatic overhaul of its Test squad and coaching staff mid-series in England, sacking head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and releasing seven players following back-to-back heavy defeats that left the team trailing 2-0 in the three-match series. The sweeping changes, announced on September 2, 2026, came just days after England secured an unassailable series lead with a 194-run victory in the second Test at Lord's. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that white-ball coach Mike Hesson will take charge of the Test team for the third and final match at Edgbaston, which begins on September 9. Former Australian international Ashley Noffke has been appointed as the new bowling coach, replacing Umar Gul. The decision to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was appointed as the red-ball coach earlier this year, comes after Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat in the first Test at Headingley and a 194-run loss at Lord's. Among the seven players dropped from the squad are experienced wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq.