By Asif Naveed
LONDON/ISLAMABAD (MNN); Pakistan captain Babar Azam has revealed that the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to remove the national team’s head coach and send seven players home during the England series came as a surprise to him.
The PCB took the dramatic steps after Pakistan suffered a 194-run defeat at Lord’s, a result that handed England an unassailable lead in the three-match series.
Following the defeat, Sarfraz Ahmed was removed as head coach, while bowling coach Umar Gul was also dismissed. They were replaced by white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke, respectively.
The PCB also dropped seven players from the squad midway through the series. The players included experienced campaigners Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha. Five of the replacements brought to England were uncapped players.
The changes were reportedly decided by the national selection panel away from the team dressing room, meaning that several members of the Pakistan contingent were unaware of the plans beforehand.
Babar said he was also not informed in advance.
“It was news to me as well,” Babar said during the pre-match press conference ahead of the final Test at Edgbaston. He added that he only learned about the decisions later.
Babar Distances Himself from PCB Decisions
PCB high-performance director and selector Aaqib Javed later said the decision to remove the coaching staff was linked to their failure to make certain selection decisions before the second Test.
Although the coaching staff was removed and several players were sent home, Babar retained his position as captain for the final Test.
However, the Pakistan captain made it clear that the decisions were taken by the PCB and were not his responsibility.
Babar said the cricket board was in a better position to explain the reasons behind its actions.
He added that, as a player and captain, he had to accept and follow decisions made by the board.
According to Babar, the PCB would have taken the decisions after giving them considerable thought, and therefore its officials should be asked to explain the reasoning behind the changes.
Babar also categorically denied having prior knowledge of an internal PCB inquiry into the discipline and conduct of certain players.
Pakistan Look to Move on After Turbulent Week
With the series already lost, Babar said Pakistan had little choice but to put the turbulent events behind them and concentrate on their performance in the final Test.
The team has several new options available, with uncapped fast bowler Razaullah and all-rounder Arafat Minhas potentially in line to make their Test debuts.
Batter Saim Ayub, who has already played eight Tests, is also expected to return to the playing XI.
Babar described the arrival of young players as a major opportunity for them to establish themselves at international level.
He said the newcomers had a “golden opportunity” to perform and make their mark in the final match.
Babar Urges Team to Play Freely
The Pakistan captain acknowledged that the final Test is effectively a dead rubber after England secured the series, but said that could allow his team to play with greater freedom.
He said Pakistan had nothing left to lose and should take the field with confidence and belief.
Babar said the team had spent the previous few days training and discussing the situation among themselves.
He added that the arrival of new players and young talent had created a sense of excitement within the squad.
Pakistan will now aim to end the series on a positive note and rebuild confidence after a week dominated by major changes both on and off the field.
