# Pakistan cricket management and squad overhaul

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pakistan-cricket-team-management-and-squad-overhaul
> Updated: 2026-09-02T00:25:33.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

The Pakistan cricket team continues to face internal turmoil following a massive squad and coaching overhaul during its Test tour of England. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) previously removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, new reports indicate that Saqlain Mushtaq has also been removed as part of a broader ‘clean-up’ exercise.

In addition to the coaching changes, the PCB has launched a committee inquiry into the conduct of several players, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Ali Agha. While Rizwan’s exclusion was partly attributed to poor form, reports suggest that dressing room conduct was also a significant factor. These players may be summoned to explain their behavior during recent tours.

Administrative restructuring is also underway. Chief selector Aaqib Javed may be reassigned to the High-Performance Centre, and a new selection committee is expected to be announced after the final Test. Amidst this instability, Mike Hesson remains a candidate for the permanent head coach position. 

Internal tensions persist regarding the decision-making process. Aaqib Javed previously claimed that captain Babar Azam ignored selection committee advice to drop certain players, a claim that prompted former captain Rashid Latif to question whether the captain himself would be the next target for removal. Former coach Jason Gillespie has maintained that the team appears to be “playing with fear” due to a lack of clear strategy and has described the method of informing players of their removal as “disrespectful.”

## Claims

- The Pakistan Cricket Board sent seven players home mid-series during a three-Test tour of England. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The coaching staff were sacked during the tour. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The seven players sent home are Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, and Muhammad Awais Zafar. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Pakistan lost at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs and at Lord’s by 194 runs. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Pakistan has lost 15 of its last 20 Test matches. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Pakistan Cricket Board sacks coaching staff and sends seven players home

The Pakistan Cricket Board has sacked its coaching staff and sent seven players home mid-series during their Test tour of England following consecutive heavy defeats.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pakistan-cricket-board-sacks-coaching-staff-and-sends-seven-players-home

### 2026-08-31: Pakistan cricket team faces coaching changes and historic Test record decline

Pakistan's cricket team faces management overhaul with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul being relieved of duties, as the team's Test record turns negative for the first time since 1987.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pakistan-cricket-team-faces-coaching-changes-and-historic-test-record-decline

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Cite as: Pakistan cricket management and squad overhaul. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pakistan-cricket-team-management-and-squad-overhaul