Mohammad Rizwan, Imam ul Haq among 7 players released from Pakistan squad for 3rd Test

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has completely overhauled their squad for the third Test against England, making as many as seven changes in the aftermath of a crushing defeat in the second match at Lord’s. England hammered Pakistan by 194 runs and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

After another comprehensive defeat, the PCB has released seven players from the team, namely Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.

The board has also announced seven replacements, which include five uncapped players at Test level and two capped players. Among the new selections, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have played eight and two Tests, respectively, while left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas has three ODI and four T20I caps.

On the other hand, the other four players are left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, wicketkeeper-batter and player of the tournament of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26, right-arm pace bowling all-rounders Mohammad Imran (also known as Imran Randhawa) and Razaullah.

Sarfaraz Ahmed, Umar Gul also released

Apart from that, the Pakistan coaching staff has also undergone radical changes, with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul also being released. They will be replaced by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, who will join the Pakistan squad ahead of the third Test against England along with the newly selected players.

Pakistan will be desperate to salvage some pride in the third and final match of the series, beginning on September 9 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Pakistan squad for third Test vs England: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper) Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah