Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has defended the players released from the national Test squad, questioning the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to make sweeping changes midway through the ongoing England tour.
The PCB overhauled Pakistan’s red-ball set-up on Monday after the team lost the first two Tests of the three-match series, releasing seven players and two members of the coaching staff ahead of the final Test at Edgbaston.
Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad have been sent back to Pakistan, while Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Mohammad Imran Jr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah have been added to the squad.
The coaching staff has also been reshuffled, with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul released from their positions. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson has taken over the red-ball responsibilities for the remainder of the series, with Ashley Noffke appointed as bowling coach.
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Malik, however, believes the players should not be made the primary targets of the PCB’s accountability process, particularly those who have had limited opportunities at Test level.
Taking to social media platform X, the former all-format captain stressed that the players released from the squad remain national cricketers who have represented Pakistan and deserve to be treated with respect.
“The players dropped from the squad are still our national cricketers who have served Pakistan. Phrases like “sent on the first flight back” are disrespectful,” Malik wrote.
The former batter also questioned the decision to make changes during the tour rather than assessing the team once the series has concluded.
“Accountability should start with those who broke the system, not with players specially those who were on the bench or have played 2-3 test matches. Plus accountability starts once a tour is done not in the middle of it,” he added.
The players dropped from the squad are still our national cricketers who have served Pakistan. Phrases like “sent on the first flight back” are disrespectful.
Accountability should start with those who broke the system, not with players specially those who were on the bench or…
— Shoaib Malik 🇵🇰 (@realshoaibmalik) August 31, 2026
Shoaib Malik further warned that the manner in which players are being criticised could have a negative impact on their confidence and mentality.
He argued that repeated scrutiny on social media following poor performances could create a fear of failure among members of the Pakistan squad.
“Players should not be going through such mental stress and a social media after every bad game or the fear of failure will settle in the minds of our players,” Malik stated.
The PCB’s decision has also drawn criticism from several former players and international cricket figures, including former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi as well as former England batter Kevin Pietersen, with questions raised over the lack of continuity in Pakistan cricket.
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