Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Khawaja Mocks Pakistan Shake-Up After England Test Losses
Pakistan lost the first two Tests against England.
Before the last match, Pakistan changed seven players and altered its coaching arrangement.
Aaqib Javed said the team was being laughed at because it was not competing strongly.
He argued that the captain and coach had not made some important choices.
Javed believed Pakistan needed a faster bowler and a better-balanced team.
Usman Khawaja responded by saying the world was laughing even harder after the changes.
Javed said the new players deserved a chance because the series was already lost.
The changes created a public debate about how Pakistan cricket is being managed.
Usman Khawaja mocked Aaqib Javed after Javed said the world was laughing at Pakistan.
Pakistan replaced seven players and changed its Test coaching setup before the final England Test.
Javed blamed team management for failing to make difficult selection and tactical decisions.
He said Pakistan should have added faster bowler Ubaid Shah and an all-rounder to improve balance.
Javed defended selecting younger players after Pakistan lost the series, saying it could showcase remaining talent.
- Who
- Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja, Pakistan Cricket Board director Aaqib Javed, and Pakistan's Test team management.
- What
- Khawaja criticised the PCB's mid-series overhaul after Javed defended replacing seven players and changing the Test coaching setup.
- When
- During Pakistan's ongoing three-Test series against England, after the first two losses and before the final Test.
- Where
- On Pakistan's England tour; Khawaja made his comment on social media.
- Why
- The PCB said changes were needed because Pakistan was performing poorly and team management had not made crucial tactical and selection decisions.
Khawaja's Criticism
PCB's Justification
Effect of the overhaul
Khawaja's Criticism
Khawaja suggested the mid-series changes made Pakistan's situation look even more embarrassing.
PCB's Justification
Javed said the changes were necessary after Pakistan had lost the series and could help reveal younger talent.
Responsibility for poor performances
Khawaja's Criticism
Khawaja's response challenged the PCB's public handling of the team's struggles.
PCB's Justification
Javed blamed the captain and coach for failing to make tough decisions, including changes to the bowling attack and team balance.
Selection strategy
Khawaja's Criticism
The criticism implied that the late changes were an ineffective response to Pakistan's results.
PCB's Justification
Javed argued that players such as Ubaid Shah should have been selected earlier and that the final Test was an opportunity to assess new players.
- Series result before final Test
- Pakistan had suffered two heavy losses and had already lost the series.
- Squad changes
- Seven new players were sent to England for the third Test.
- Coaching change
- White-ball coach Mike Hesson was put in charge of the Test side, replacing Sarfaraz Ahmed.
- Aaqib Javed's comment
- Javed said the world was laughing at Pakistan because the team was not competing.
- Usman Khawaja's response
- Khawaja replied: "The world is laughing harder now."
- Selection concerns
- Javed said Pakistan should have considered Ubaid Shah, a pace all-rounder, and a second wicket-keeper.