Pakistan leg-spinner
Taking to social media, Mir expressed his frustration with the current state of the national setup. Without explicitly naming any officials, the spinner suggested that the structural integrity of the team had been compromised, stating that someone had managed to destroy the entire system without detection. He further remarked that it was now too late to address the issues, using a traditional idiom to suggest that the damage had already been done.
Major Overhaul Before Birmingham Test
The PCB’s response to the series loss has been comprehensive, involving the immediate departure of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. In their place, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke have been appointed to oversee the squad for the third and final Test, which is scheduled to begin on September 9 in Birmingham.
Beyond the coaching staff, the board has recalled seven players from the tour. The list of departing players includes wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, opener Imam-ul-Haq, first Test captain Salman Ali Agha, spinner Ali Usman, and pacer Khurram Shahzad. Additionally, all-rounder Aamir Jamal and batter Awais Zafar have been sent home without having featured in any of the matches during the England tour.
Context of Recent Performance
The decision to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed concludes his three-month tenure as head coach, a period marked by significant struggles in away conditions. Under his guidance, the team lost five of their six away Test matches, including fixtures in Bangladesh, the West Indies, and England. The team's recent form has been particularly concerning, with Pakistan suffering 10 defeats in their last 11 away Test appearances.
The leadership transition also highlights ongoing instability within the squad. Following the removal of Shan Masood as captain in May, Babar Azam returned to the role. While the team managed a 1-1 series draw in the West Indies under his leadership, the subsequent losses in England have further intensified scrutiny on the current direction of the team.