Pakistan face Test squad shake-up after massive defeats against England

LONDON: Pakistan are set to make changes to their squad for the third Test against England after a disappointing tour, with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Imamul Haq reportedly being sent home following the second Test defeat at Lord’s.

Sources said a meeting of the national team management was being held after Pakistan’s 194-run defeat at Lord’s, where it was decided that Rizwan and Imam would return to Pakistan. Imam’s calf injury is set to be reassessed in Lahore.

Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas are expected to join the squad, while fast bowlers Razaullah and Imran Khan have also been called up to England. Ghazi Ghori is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties for the third Test.

The changes are coming after England sealed a 2-0 series lead with another emphatic victory at Lord’s. Pakistan were being bowled out for 194 while chasing 389, having also lost the first Test at Leeds by an innings and 103 runs.

Saud Shakeel was offering Pakistan’s strongest resistance at Lord’s, scoring 97, while Mohammad Abbas took five wickets in England’s first innings.

Ollie Robinson was again proving England’s chief threat with the ball, taking four for 24 in Pakistan’s second innings and finishing the match with figures of 8-35. He now has 16 wickets in the series.

England were resuming on 177-7 on the fourth day after rain had disrupted Saturday’s play and were being dismissed for 208, with Abbas finishing with five wickets.

Robinson was then striking twice early in Pakistan’s chase, removing Azan Awais lbw before bowling Abdullah Shafique. Captain Babar Azam was being dismissed before lunch after edging a Jofra Archer bouncer via his helmet to Jordan Cox at third slip.

Shan Masood and Shakeel were then resisting before Robinson removed Masood for 26 and Rizwan in successive overs, both lbw.

Shakeel was going on to hit 13 fours and two sixes but was falling three runs short of a century when he attempted to hit Josh Tongue over deep square leg and was caught by Harry Brook. He was receiving a standing ovation as he left the field.

Joe Root, who has begun his second stint as England captain with consecutive wins, was praising Robinson’s bowling after the match.

“He’s bowling beautifully,” Root said. “If you ask good questions of guys’ defence for long periods of time with a wicket that gives you assistance, you’re going to cause problems.”

Tongue was completing England’s victory by dismissing Mohammad Ali to finish with three wickets, while Archer was taking two.

Sarfaraz future under scrutiny

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s red-ball coaching set-up is also facing uncertainty after reports that white-ball head coach Mike Hesson could be given responsibility for the Test team.

Hesson, who had initially travelled to London with Director High Performance Centre Aaqib Javed for a dinner, is reportedly being asked by the Pakistan Cricket Board to oversee Test team matters and be with the squad in the dressing room during the third Test at Edgbaston from September 9.

The development has put Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed’s future at risk, with reports suggesting Hesson could take over Test coaching responsibilities after the ODI and T20I assignments, while Sarfaraz could be removed from the role after the England tour.

Pakistan now have a few days to regroup before the third and final Test begins at Edgbaston on September 9.