Pakistan have overhauled their squad and coaching staff midway through their Test series in England, a decision former captain Shahid Afridi has called the "most shocking" ever made by a selection committee. Seven players, including Muhammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, have been dropped, while head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul have been replaced by white-ball coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke. The shake-up comes after Pakistan were heavily beaten in the first two Tests and follows a tense second Test in which the tour was nearly abandoned amid controversy over broadcast comments from Imran Khan's sons.

Seven new players have been called up ahead of the third and final Test at Edgbaston, starting 9 September, including five uncapped cricketers alongside batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have prior Test experience. Afridi criticised the inclusion of T20 specialists for an English Test match and questioned why the coach was axed after only five Tests, while former captain and PCB chairman Ramiz Raja said the move showed Pakistan cricket had "hit a panic button". The changes come as the Pakistan squad prepares for a previously arranged meeting with King Charles at Clarence House this week.