Pakistan Cricket Shake-Up Defended as Aaqib Javed Blames England Test Failures

Pakistan Cricket national selector Aaqib Javed has defended the Pakistan Cricket Board’s controversial mid-series changes after the team suffered two heavy defeats against England.

Pakistan lost the opening Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs. England then won the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs. The results left Pakistan 2-0 down with one match remaining.

The PCB responded by removing red-ball head coach Sarfraz Ahmed and appointing white-ball coach Mike Hesson for the final Test. It also sent seven players home and replaced bowling coach Umar Gul with Australian Ashley Noffke.

The sweeping changes drew criticism from former players and coaches. Selection committee member Misbah-ul-Haq also resigned after reportedly not being consulted about the decisions.

Aaqib Defends Mid-Series Changes

Aaqib said selectors accepted responsibility for the original 17-member squad. However, he argued that team management also had to adjust the playing combination during the tour.

He said selectors had identified several options within the squad. These included an all-rounder, a second wicketkeeper and fast bowler Ubaid Shah.

According to Aaqib, those options were not used when Pakistan needed a different balance.

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He said he had spoken with the captain and coach before the second Test. He advised them to include Ubaid because Pakistan had selected three fast bowlers with similar characteristics.

Aaqib argued that Ubaid’s inclusion could have changed the structure of the bowling attack.

Selector Points to Batting Balance

Aaqib also highlighted Pakistan’s lack of bowling options among the top seven batters.

He said an all-rounder could have provided greater flexibility. A stronger lower-order contribution would also have allowed Pakistan to build a more balanced attack.

The selector defended the decision to reconsider the wicketkeeper position as well. He said Ghazi Ghori, who was already part of the touring squad, could have been considered instead of Mohammad Rizwan.

His comments appeared to separate the selectors’ role in choosing the squad from management’s responsibility for using the available players.

However, Aaqib admitted that selectors still had to accept some responsibility.

Pakistan Seeks a Different Approach

Aaqib said Pakistan’s poor performances left the selectors with few alternatives.

The team had also played two Tests in the West Indies in July and August. He argued that the players had struggled for form and failed to compete at the required level.

With the series already lost, Aaqib said Pakistan could use the third Test to adopt a different approach.

He believes a stronger performance in Birmingham could restore confidence and demonstrate that Pakistan still has enough talent to compete internationally.

The final Test is scheduled to begin in Birmingham on September 9.

Babar Azam Retains Leadership Role

Aaqib also defended the decision to appoint Babar Azam as captain.

Babar had previously lost the leadership role, but selectors returned to him because of Pakistan’s limited leadership options.

Aaqib described Babar as a senior player and the team’s leading batter. He said those factors made him a logical choice for the role.

However, he stressed that both leadership and management must face scrutiny if performances do not improve.

Hesson Given Red-Ball Responsibility

Aaqib also explained the decision to bring Mike Hesson into the red-ball setup.

The New Zealander has been given charge of Pakistan for the final Test after Sarfraz Ahmed’s removal.

Aaqib said Hesson already understands the players and could help generate a stronger response from the squad.

He added that players must show greater effort during important overseas tours.

PCB to Investigate Imam Injury

Aaqib revealed that the PCB will investigate Imam-ul-Haq’s failure to bat in either innings of the Lord’s Test.

Imam suffered what was described as a low-grade calf injury. He was among seven players sent home before the final Test.

The others were Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Mohammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.

Five uncapped players have since joined the squad for the Birmingham Test.

The decision has raised further questions because five of the seven players sent home did not play in the opening Test.

Aaqib acknowledged the contradiction but said Pakistan’s inability to compete forced the selectors to act.

He argued that the success of the changes should ultimately be judged by the team’s performance in the final Test.