The Pakistan Cricket Board announced on August 31, 2026, that seven players were released from the Test squad after the second Test at Lord’s, with five uncapped athletes included among the replacements for the upcoming third Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
The 194-run defeat at Lord’s on August 30 followed an innings-and-103-run loss at Headingley, leaving England with an insurmountable 2‑0 series advantage.
The released players include Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad. The board also confirmed coaching changes, appointing Mike Hesson as head coach and Ashley Noffke as bowling coach.
Who are the seven players brought into the squad?
Seven players have been added to the squad, among them two with previous Test experience: Saim Ayub, with eight Test caps, and Abdullah Fazal, who has appeared in two Tests.
Arafat Minhas joins as a white‑ball all‑rounder, having played three ODIs and four T20Is, but he has yet to debut in Test cricket. The other four new members are uncapped at the Test level.
Left‑arm fast bowler Mohammad Imran Jnr receives his first Test squad call-up. Wicket‑keeper‑batter Saad Baig joins after being crowned player of the tournament in the Quaid‑e‑Azam Trophy 2025‑26. Right‑arm pacers Muhammad Imran and Razaullah round out the uncapped additions.
Babar Azam will captain Pakistan at Edgbaston, steering a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents who have yet to feature in Test cricket. The PCB confirmed the full squad on August 31.
Pakistan’s full squad for the third Test at Birmingham: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, 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.
