Pakistan spring major Test shake-up, release three senior players

There appears to be a major meltdown in the Pakistan team. In a surprise move, the Pakistan team management has released three senior players, including former white-ball captain Salman Agha, from the touring Test side in England.

In what appears to be an unprecedented shake-up, the team management, in obvious consultation with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has effected a sweeping reshuffle, cracking the whip on players for various reasons, ranging from fitness and form to disciplinary issues.

Pakistan are 0-2 down in the ongoing Test series in England. They have lost five of the last six Tests, with the lone win coming against West Indies earlier this month.

According to sources close to the team management in England, Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq have also been released along with Agha. All three have been below par so far in the Tests, which are part of the current WTC cycle. Pakistan, of course, are already out of contention for a place in the WTC final.

The team management has sent call-ups to Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal for the third Test, beginning September 9 in Birmingham. If UK visas can be arranged in time, four others — fast bowlers Razaullah Khan and Mohammad Imran, left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas and wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir — will also join the squad in England.

There is also a shake-up in the coaching staff. Mike Hesson, who has been handling the white-ball side, has been asked to take charge of the Test squad. The New Zealander is believed to be in England already and is expected to link up with the side soon.

Hesson will coach the red ball squad for the remainder of the WTC matches in the current cycle — two in Sri Lanka in November and two more in New Zealand early next year. Current Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been sidelined, although they will continue to travel with the side.

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