Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has criticised the decision of the PCB to make surprise changes following the team’s defeat in the second Test against England at Lord’s. After Pakistan suffered a heavy 194-run defeat, the PCB announced a major overhaul, asking seven players to return home ahead of the third Test. The changes were also seen in the coaching staff, with Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul being asked to leave England.
The team will now be coached by white-ball coach Mike Hesson. Arthur, who previously worked with Pakistan cricket, questioned the board’s decision to make changes in the middle of an important overseas series.
“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 X.
Following the Lord’s defeat, the PCB confirmed that Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad would return home. In their place, seven players have been added to the squad.
Notably, Pakistan have faced huge difficulty in England, failing to make any major impact in the first two games. Neither of the opening two Tests lasted until the final day, Moreover, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has struggled to contribute with the bat, having registering low scores in the last two games.