DNA
Pakistan are weighing major changes ahead of the third and final Test against England following their 194-run defeat at Lord’s, with changes to the squad and coaching set-up under consideration, sources said on Monday.
England defeated Pakistan by 194 runs on the fourth day of the second Test at Lord’s on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The third and final Test will be played at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham from September 9 to 13.
Following the defeat, an emergency meeting was held at the Pakistan team’s hotel, where possible changes ahead of the final Test were discussed, the sources said.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Test opener Imam-ul-Haq are likely to be sent back to Pakistan, while Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas are expected to be called up for the Birmingham Test, they added.
The PCB is also likely to send Imam back to Pakistan on the first available flight from London and may launch a high-level inquiry into his calf injury, the sources said.
The 30-year-old opener complained of discomfort in his calf on the opening day of the Lord’s Test and subsequently did not bat in Pakistan’s second innings. His absence was also felt as Pakistan were bowled out for 110 in their first innings at Lord’s.
The development comes amid media speculation over the nature of Imam’s injury, with some former cricketers questioning its authenticity and describing it as fake.
Against this backdrop, the cricket board is expected to assess the left-handed batter’s injury and look into the reasons behind his withdrawal from the match.
Several PCB officials have also previously expressed concerns over issues relating to Imam’s injuries, they added.
In March 2025, a PCB inquiry committee found Imam responsible for misrepresenting an injury during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand, the sources said.
The committee found no medical basis to declare him unfit after an X-ray showed no fracture or dislocation in his toe.
It concluded that Imam had exaggerated his injury symptoms and misled medical staff, recommending a ban on his representing Pakistan across all formats and levels.
The inquiry also alleged that Imam wanted to avoid opening on New Zealand’s fast and challenging pitches, describing his actions as deliberate and misleading.
Meanwhile, the future of red-ball coach Sarfaraz Ahmed is also facing serious uncertainty following Pakistan’s defeat at Lord’s.
White-ball coach Mike Hesson is set to become involved in the Test team’s affairs and is expected to join the squad for the third and final Test in Birmingham, according to reports.
Hesson had initially travelled to London with Director High-Performance Centre Aqib Javed to attend a dinner hosted by Prince Charles.
He is now expected to oversee matters relating to the Test team and could also be present in the dressing room during the forthcoming Birmingham Test.
His involvement has fuelled speculation that Hesson could eventually take charge of the Test side after already overseeing Pakistan’s ODI and T20 teams. The reported arrangement has not been officially confirmed by the PCB.
There is a strong possibility that Sarfaraz could be removed as red-ball coach following the conclusion of Pakistan’s England tour, with the PCB expected to review the coaching structure after the team’s disappointing performance.
The Lord’s defeat ended Pakistan’s 16-year unbeaten run at the venue and gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
The defeat also leaves Pakistan with more Test losses than victories for the first time since 1987, with 154 defeats against 153 wins from 473 matches. The remaining 166 Tests have ended in draws.
