Pakistan have made dramatic changes to their Test squad and coaching staff following their series defeat to England, dropping seven players and releasing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed ahead of the third and final Test.
The tourists suffered heavy defeats in the opening two matches, losing the first Test at Headingley by an innings before going down by 194 runs at Lord’s.
Pakistan’s batting has been a major concern, with the team dismissed for fewer than 200 runs in each of their four innings so far.
In response, seven players have been removed from the squad. Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad, who all featured in the series, have been dropped, while Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar have been sent home without making an appearance.
Seven replacements have been called up, including two players with previous Test experience, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal.
The squad also includes five uncapped players: spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas, left-arm seamer Mohammed Imran Jr, wicketkeeper Said Baig and all-rounders Mohammad Imran and Razaullah.
Pakistan have also made significant changes to their coaching staff. Sarfaraz and assistant coach Umar Gul have been released, with white-ball coach Mike Hesson and former Australia fast bowler Ashley Noffke brought in.
The third Test is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston in Birmingham on 9 September.
The scale of the changes has sparked criticism, with former Pakistan captain and Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja describing the move as a sign that the team had “hit the panic button”.
Raja questioned the decision to make such sweeping changes midway through a series, particularly with several new players having little or no Test experience.
The changes come after a turbulent second Test, during which the PCB threatened to abandon the match and tour following the broadcast of an interview with the sons of former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan.
Imran Khan has been imprisoned for around three years over corruption charges, which he denies. Pakistan ultimately continued with the Test, while captain Babar Azam and Sarfaraz said they had no knowledge of any planned boycott.
Despite the controversy and poor results, Pakistan are expected to complete their tour and are also scheduled to meet King Charles at Clarence House this week.
Based on reporting by BBC News