Pakistan cricket team overhauled in dramatic squad shake-up during England series
Pakistan have made sweeping changes to their cricket squad, dropping five players who featured in the ongoing series against England and calling up seven new players. Former captain Ramiz Raja called the move a sign of panic.
Pakistan's cricket team has undergone a major overhaul following the second Test against England. Five players who had featured in the series so far — Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad — have been dropped from the squad. Two further players, Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar, have been sent home without having played in the series.
Seven new players have been called up in total. Batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal both bring previous Test experience, while the remaining five newcomers are uncapped. The new additions include spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas, left-arm seamer Mohammed Imran Jr, wicketkeeper Said Baig, and all-rounders Mohammad Imran and Razaullah.
Former Pakistan captain and ex-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja criticised the decision in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live. He said he was trying to convince himself the changes were acceptable but that they were not, adding that the shake-up showed Pakistan cricket had hit a panic button.
Tensions during the tour
Pakistan's squad is due to meet King Charles at Clarence House this week, an engagement arranged before the England series began. The meeting will go ahead despite the series nearly being cut short during the second Test amid controversy.
At lunch on the first day of that match, the PCB threatened to cancel the remainder of both the Test and the tour after Sky broadcast an interview with the sons of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan. Imran Khan has been imprisoned for three years on corruption charges, which he denies. The Test ultimately went ahead as scheduled, with captain Babar Azam and head coach Sarfaraz both denying any knowledge of a planned boycott.
