Pakistan Cricket Shake-Up: Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha and Mohammad Rizwan Dropped Ahead of Edgbaston Test

Pakistan cricket is heading into the third Test against England amid a major squad overhaul. Journalists travelling with the team are reporting that Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan are being sent back to Pakistan, SSalman Ali Agha has been released from Pakistan’s squad with six players called up on an emergency basis to Birmingham ahead of the Edgbaston Test.

• Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul have been sacked by PCB from their respective coaching roles.
• Mike Hesson has been appointed Pakistan’s all-format head coach.
• Ashley Noffke has been appointed Pakistan’s bowling coach.

The reports have not been confirmed by an official PCB statement. They come from mainstream broadcast journalists who have travelled with the Pakistan squad throughout the England tour, reporting the changes on their personal accounts rather than through a board press release.

Who Is Reported to Be Sent Home

Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan are both reported to be returning to Pakistan with immediate effect. Rizwan’s removal is being attributed to poor performance across the series. Imam’s departure is tied to the calf injury that ruled him out of Pakistan’s second innings at Lord’s, an injury the PCB is reported to be investigating following the allegation from former chief selector Mohammad Wasim that it may not have been genuine.

Mohammad Wasim’s allegation: Imam-ul-Haq accused of faking his Lord’s injury

Six Players Called Up to Birmingham

Reports name the following players as called up on an emergency basis:

• Saim Ayub
• Arafat Minhas
• Abdullah Fazal
• Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper)
• Additional fast-bowling reinforcements, names unconfirmed at time of writing

Rohail Nazir’s inclusion as a specialist wicketkeeper is the clearest signal among the reported changes. If Rizwan is genuinely being left out of the XI rather than only the touring party, it would be the most significant selection call of the entire series, given Rizwan’s standing as Pakistan’s first-choice gloveman across formats.

Mike Hesson Given Greater Control for Edgbaston

Reports indicate that Mike Hesson will assume greater responsibility over team affairs for the Edgbaston Test, with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed continuing to play a role alongside him. The exact division of responsibility between the two has not been detailed in the reporting so far.

Any restructuring of coaching authority mid-series, particularly after a team has already lost the series 2-0, points to a management response driven by results rather than a planned rotation.

Why This Is Happening Now

Pakistan enter the Edgbaston Test having already lost the series. The innings defeat at Headingley and the 194-run loss at Lord’s have been followed by mounting criticism of technical, tactical and fitness standards across the squad throughout this tour.

A wholesale squad change this late in a series, with the outcome already decided, is not a common move for any touring side. It suggests the changes being reported are less about winning at Edgbaston and more about resetting personnel and coaching structure before the tour concludes, with an eye on what comes next for Pakistan cricket beyond this series.

What Remains Unconfirmed

Nothing in this story has been confirmed through an official PCB statement or press conference as of publication. The reports originate from journalists who have covered the tour on the ground in England, which gives them credibility, but the PCB has not independently verified the squad changes, the reasoning behind them, or the exact scope of Mike Hesson’s expanded role.

This article will be updated when PCB issues an official statement or the playing XI for Edgbaston is confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mohammad Rizwan being dropped from Pakistan’s squad? Reports from journalists travelling with the team indicate Rizwan is being sent home ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston, reportedly due to poor performance. This has not been officially confirmed by the PCB.

Why is Imam-ul-Haq being sent home? Imam is reported to be returning to Pakistan following the calf injury that ruled him out of Pakistan’s second innings at Lord’s. The PCB is reported to be investigating the circumstances of the injury after an allegation it may not have been genuine.

Who has been called up to Pakistan’s squad for the Edgbaston Test? Reports name Saim Ayub, Arafat Minhas, Abdullah Fazal and wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir among six players called up on an emergency basis, alongside additional fast-bowling options.

Is Mike Hesson now in charge of the Pakistan cricket team? Reports indicate Hesson will take on greater responsibility for team affairs at Edgbaston, with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed continuing to play a role. The exact scope of this arrangement has not been officially detailed.

Has PCB confirmed the Pakistan squad changes for the third Test? No official PCB statement had been issued at the time of this report. The information comes from journalists travelling with the Pakistan squad in England.