![Pakistan's new coach reveals shocking details on squad revamps [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1788845960893_MohsinNaqviMikeHesson.jpg?type=hq)
Pakistan's new coach reveals shocking details on squad revamps [Source: AFP]
Mohsin Naqvi’s Pakistan Cricket Board was once again in the limelight last week after it made a host of changes in its squad and coaching setup in the middle of its tour of England.
This also included changes in the coaching staff, led by former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who is also among the names sidelined by the board. White-ball coach Mike Hesson has taken over the reins of the team, while Ashley Noffke has replaced bowling coach Umar Gul.
Mohsin Naqvi's PCB goes hard on Pakistan players and coaches
Mohsin Naqvi and the PCB took the extreme step of replacing 7 players from the playing squad and changing their support staff at the end of the second Test at Lord’s.
Five of the seven replacement players in the squad for the third Test are uncapped names, including Arafat Minhas, who has started his ODI career impressively. Notably, they have sent back some experienced names like wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq.
These changes are a result of the first two Tests of the series. In Leeds, Pakistan got bowled out for 171 and 135 and lost the match by an innings and 103 runs.
It was followed by another disastrous game at Lord’s, where they lost by 194 runs. The Pakistan batters have not been able to cross the 200-run mark in the series.
The series is already lost, but there was a 9-day gap between the second and final Test, and Mohsin Naqvi’s board is looking to issue a bold statement to their own players and staff.
The board announced that it has also launched a disciplinary investigation amid media reports circulating around mobile phone confiscation of several players. Reports had also stated that the match-fixing angle was being explored by the board. However, the PCB has not commented officially on the match-fixing allegations circulating.
Also Read: Mike Hesson's Coaching Record In Test Cricket As Pakistan Offers Looms
Pakistan’s bowling coach reveals details about PCB’s dramatic 3 AM message
According to details revealed by Ashley Noffke in the pre-match presser, the board made an abrupt decision to send him and Hesson to England to help stabilise Pakistan’s sinking ship.
Shockingly, he got to know about this at 3 AM in the night through a text, without any prior consultation.
“PCB messaged me at 3 AM saying that I was going to England for the Test match,” he said.
Furthermore, he was oblivious to the plethora of changes the board was making in the squad, especially the bowling group.
“It’s not my job to be in consultation with where they see as in and who’s out. That’s obviously the selection panel,” he said.
Noffke raises concerns over squad revamp
During the same presser, Noffke, who has coached multiple men’s and women’s teams previously, said it is a very unsettling environment to be in for both players and staff. However, believes that it is now time to get on with it and focus on what’s ahead.
“It [so many changes in the squad] doesn't happen very often, and from Mike and my perspective, all we can do is come and add positivity”
“There's obviously a feeling of uncertainty [in the players], but also they've just got back on the job.
“There's always something going on in the background, and whether or not it's in or out of our control, and I think most of the time it's out of the player's control, they need to focus on the cricket that they have in front of them,” Noffke concluded.
The third Test of the series begins on September 9 in Birmingham, where Babar Azam and co. will look to bounce back and salvage something from what has been an extremely disappointing tour for the Asian giants.
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