Pakistan cricket crisis deepens as Misbah resigns after Test squad reshuffle

Pakistan cricket was plunged into further turmoil Wednesday after the Pakistan Cricket Board reshuffled its Test squad and coaching staff midway through the team’s tour of England and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq offered to resign.

Pakistan have suffered heavy defeats in the first two matches of the three-Test series and the PCB have dropped seven players from the Test squad. Among those released are Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha while the seven replacements named include five uncapped Test players.

The board also sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul and appointed white-ball coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke as replacements ahead of the third Test in Birmingham on Sept. 9.

Former Pakistan captain and national selection committee member Misbah is understood to have offered to resign when the team was completely reshuffled without consulting him. The PCB is yet to accept his resignation right away.

The turmoil came after Pakistan had gone 2-0 down in the series. England had won the first Test by an innings and 103 runs and after a 194-run victory at Lord’s. Pakistan needed a win in the final Test to avoid a whitewash in the series.

Former players have criticised the board’s decision-making. Former coach Mickey Arthur called the changes “absolutely ridiculous”, while former captain Shahid Afridi described the overhaul as shocking.