Mickey Arthur, Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed for Pakistan (Source: AFP)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a major change to Pakistan’s Test squad after two heavy defeats against England, but the move has attracted strong criticism from former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur.
The PCB announced on Monday (August 31) that seven members of the touring squad would return home ahead of the third and final Test against England. Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were released.
Five of those players had featured in the series, while Jamal and Awais Zafar had not played a Test.
The PCB also made changes to the coaching staff, releasing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
Also Read: PCB Sends Players Back From England Mid-Tour; Has BCCI Ever Done The Same?
Mickey Arthur Slams PCB's Decision
Mickey Arthur, who has previously coached Pakistan, strongly objected to the decision. He said the board had once again chosen to make major changes rather than build stability within the team.
"Absolutely ridiculous decisions by the PCB-this is the reason they are in the mess they are because they constantly chop and change players,coaches and selectors and there in no stability! Planning,stability and structure =Consistent performance!!" he wrote on X.
According to Mickey Arthur, planning and stability are needed for consistent performances. His comments came after Pakistan suffered two one-sided defeats in the first two Tests.
Pakistan lost the opening match by an innings and 103 runs before England won the Lord's Test by 194 runs.
Which players have been included for the released players?
It is important to mention that changes were made after reviewing Pakistan's performance in the first two Tests. Seven players have been called up for the final match at Edgbaston in Birmingham, which starts on September 9.
The players that have been included are Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Saad Baig, Muhammad Randhawa, Razaullah and Muhammad Imran Jnr.
The changes mean Pakistan will enter the final Test with a different squad and coaching setup. The team, led by Babar Azam, is also sitting at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings with just 16 points (16.67 PCT).
Mickey Arthur-Sarfaraz Ahmed's relationship goes a long way
Mickey Arthur and Sarfaraz Ahmed shared a strong professional relationship during Arthur’s first time as Pakistan’s head coach.
From 2016 to 2019, Sarfaraz became one of Arthur’s most trusted players and captains. Under their leadership, Pakistan defeated India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final.
It is worth noting that Arthur has often spoken highly of Sarfaraz’s leadership style. However, the their partnership came to an end after the 2019 World Cup, when the PCB decided to move on from both Arthur and Sarfaraz.
However, the ship has not been a smooth sail throughout. In 2019, after Pakistan's exit from the ODI World Cup, reports had emerged from thenews.com.pk, it was Arthur who had asked PCB to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed as Pakistan's white-ball captain and instate Shadab Khan.
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