Fresh faces added to Pakistan squad [Source: AFP]The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a slew of changes to the Pakistan squad for the upcoming third Test against England. Apart from making some bold calls for the squad, the PCB has also replaced several members of the support staff personnel ahead of the final Test in Birmingham next week. For starters, just earlier today, white-ball coach Mike Hesson was appointed to join Pakistan’s Test unit in England as its new head coach, replacing Sarfaraz Ahmed in the process. Along with Sarfaraz, the Pakistan board has also seemingly sacked Pakistan’s fast bowling coach Umar Gul. Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha among seven players releasedThe PCB has released as many as seven cricketers from the Pakistan squad ahead of the third Test in England next week. As reported earlier, legendary wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is one of those casualties after Pakistan succumbed to crushing defeats in Leeds and London over the past two weeks.Also Read- Imam-ul-Haq Applied Ink To Fake Toe Injury; Doctor Removed It With ChemicalStar all-rounder Salman Agha has also been released, even though the cricketer led the Pakistan team in the first Test of the tour in the absence of Babar Azam.Imam-ul-Haq will likely not play the third Test owing to his “injury concern”. The other players set to receive the axe from the Pakistan squad are Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.Saim Ayub, Arafat Minhas among others to join revamped squadIn a seemingly desperate attempt made by the PCB in a bid to avoid a series whitewash, the selection committee has also added a bunch of talented and young players to the Pakistan squad before the Birmingham Test. Among the seven players to be added to the squad, only Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have previously played Test cricket for Pakistan. Ayub last played a Test match in January 2025 during a series in South Africa, while Fazal played in Bangladesh a couple of months ago before missing the series in the West Indies.Players like Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah are yet to make their Test debuts. Here is a look at the entire updated Pakistan squad for the third Test against England next week.Pakistan squad for 3rd Test vs EnglandBabar Azam (capt), Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk) Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid ShahMike Hesson and Ashley Noffke to take over as new Pakistan coachesIn a historic move, the PCB also sacked Pakistan’s head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul in the middle of the series against England.They will now be replaced by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke respectively. Hesson already serves as the coach of the Pakistan team in white-ball cricket.Also Read- When Was The Last Time Hardik Pandya-Krunal Pandya Played Together For India?
