“The Pakistan Cricket Board has today announced that seven players have been released

Pakistan head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and captain Babar Azam (AFP Photo)

The Pakistan Cricket Board announced the changes on Monday after Pakistan slipped to a 0-2 deficit in the three-match series. The defeat at Lord’s followed an innings-and-103-run loss in Leeds, leaving Pakistan with five defeats in their last six Tests. Among the seven players released are former white-ball captain Salman Ali Agha, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and opening batter Imam-ul-Haq. Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have also been released.

A total of seven replacements have been named including five uncapped players at Test level and two capped players,” the PCB said in its statement. “Among the players announced as replacements, batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have played eight and two Tests, respectively, while left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas has represented Pakistan in three ODIs and four T20Is,” the PCB said. Four uncapped players at Test level have also been added to the squad — left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Jnr, wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, and right-arm pace-bowling all-rounders Mohammad Imran, also known as Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board has today announced that seven players have been released from the Test squad following completion of the Lord’s Test.

Updated Pakistan Test squad for Birmingham Test: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah

“The four other players are left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Jnr, wicketkeeper-batter and player of the tournament of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 Saad Baig, right-arm pace bowling all-rounders Mohammad Imran (also known as Imran Randhawa) and Razaullah,” the PCB added.