Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur, former England batter Kevin Pietersen and cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle have expressed their disbelief over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) sweeping changes to the Test squad and coaching staff.

The PCB has made a major overhaul to the red-ball set-up after Pakistan lost the first two matches of the three-Test series, releasing seven players and two members of the coaching staff ahead of the Edgbaston Test, scheduled to begin on September 9.

Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have been sent home, while Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Mohammad Imran Jr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah have been added to the squad.

The coaching set-up has also undergone a major reshuffle, with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul released from their positions.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

White-ball head coach Mike Hesson has taken over the red-ball responsibilities for the remainder of the series, while Ashley Noffke has been brought in as bowling coach.

The decisions have sparked strong reactions from several prominent figures in international cricket, with questions being raised over Pakistan’s lack of continuity and stability.

Arthur, who previously served as Pakistan’s head coach, criticised the PCB’s continued tendency to make frequent changes to its players, coaches and selectors.

“Absolutely ridiculous decisions by the PCB — this is the reason they are in the mess they are because they constantly chop and change players, coaches and selectors and there is no stability! Planning, stability and structure = consistent performance,” Arthur wrote on social media platform X.

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen also reacted with disbelief to the changes, particularly the decision to send several players back home midway through the series.

“What on this might planet am I reading about Pakistan making all these changes and sending players home etc… It can’t be real?! Surely?” Pietersen wrote.

Bhogle was equally critical of the PCB’s latest decisions, pointing towards the rapid changes made to the squad during the ongoing series.

“Trust Pakistan cricket to do the unbelievable. Salman Agha, captain in the first test, dropped from the second, sent home before the third! Coach and bowling coach gone midway through a series. Senior keeper sent home. Replacements hoping to get visas in time, let alone be ready for a test match. As always, more action off the field,” Bhogle wrote.

READ: Shahid Afridi questions decision to release players, coaches mid-series