Mohsin Naqvi backs Test shake-up as Pakistan arrive in Birmingham

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has defended the recent changes to the Test squad, saying they were unavoidable as the national team arrived in Birmingham for the third and final Test against England.

Naqvi said the PCB had considered factors beyond individual performances while reviewing the Test setup, as Pakistan prepare for the Edgbaston Test starting September 9.

“Changes to the Test team were inevitable,” Naqvi said while speaking in London, adding that “factors other than performance” were also being taken into account.

The PCB chairman expressed confidence that Pakistan’s Test side would also improve, pointing to progress made in the limited-overs formats.

“Just as we have improved in ODIs and T20s, Test cricket will also improve,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan team has arrived in Birmingham ahead of the final Test of the three-match series. The visitors will hold their first training session at Edgbaston at 9:30am on September 4 as they begin preparations for the match.

Pakistan are 2-0 down in the series and will be looking to avoid a clean sweep in Birmingham.

The latest changes to the Test setup come after Pakistan’s defeats in the opening two matches, with the PCB reshaping the squad and coaching arrangements ahead of the final encounter. The third Test is scheduled to begin on September 9 at Edgbaston Cricket Ground and continue until September 13.

Meeting with King Charles

Pakistan’s men’s cricket team also met King Charles III at Clarence House in London on Wednesday, where captain Babar Azam presented the monarch with a bat signed by members of the squad. Naqvi, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, several players and members of the coaching staff also attended the meeting.

Babar, Shan Masood, Mohammad Abbas, Abdullah Shafique, Azan Awais, Sajid Khan and Mohammad Ali were among the players present, alongside white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Director High-Performance Aaqib Javed. The Royal Family also shared pictures from the engagement on its official social media account. The meeting came ahead of Pakistan’s third and final Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Naqvi described his meeting with King Charles as “very productive” before returning to Pakistan. The royal engagement came as the PCB makes major changes to the Test setup following Pakistan’s defeats in the opening two matches.

The updated squad includes Babar as captain, along with Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah. Ghori and Baig are the wicketkeeping options.

Criticism over mid-series overhaul

The PCB’s sweeping changes have faced strong criticism from current and former international cricketers, who have questioned both the timing and reasoning behind the decisions.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi had described the overhaul as lacking logic, particularly the decision to bring T20 players into the Test setup in England. He also questioned the removal of the head coach after only five Tests, calling it the “most shocking” decision by a selection committee that includes several experienced selectors.

Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle also criticised the timing of the changes, highlighting the rapid sequence of decisions surrounding Salman Ali Agha. The all-rounder captained Pakistan in the first Test, was dropped for the second and then sent home before the third. Bhogle noted that the head coach, bowling coach and senior wicketkeeper had also departed during the series, raising doubts over whether the incoming players would even have enough time to obtain visas and become match-ready.

Former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur was even more scathing, calling the overhaul “absolutely ridiculous” and arguing that the repeated changes to players, coaches and selectors had contributed to the instability surrounding Pakistan cricket.

Former chief selector Muhammad Wasim similarly blamed inconsistent decision-making for the team’s decline, saying the sport had suffered after serious decisions became a part-time exercise and the system descended into what he called a “circus.”

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen expressed disbelief at the scale of the changes, while former Pakistan cricketer and commentator Bazid Khan said making such sweeping alterations in the middle of a series was extreme even by Pakistan cricket’s standards.

Journalist Osman Samiuddin also condemned the decisions, describing the overhaul as disgraceful for the team.