Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Pakistan Cricket Crisis Deepens After Lord’s Test Loss
Pakistan’s cricket team lost badly to England at Lord’s.
This was another defeat in a long run of poor Test results.
The team has lost 15 of its last 20 Test matches.
Team officials responded by releasing Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul Haq before the next match.
Several new and uncapped players were brought into the squad.
The coaching staff was also changed.
Former captain Asif Iqbal said the players should be given more time together.
Former wicketkeeper Rashid Latif said the cricket board and selectors were mainly responsible.
The next Test will be played in Birmingham on September 9.
Pakistan’s 194-run defeat to England at Lord’s deepened concerns about its international cricket decline.
The team has lost 15 of its last 20 Tests, including 10 of 11 away matches.
Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul Haq were released before the Birmingham Test, with several uncapped players added.
Mike Hesson replaced Sarfaraz Ahmed as Test coach, while Umar Gul was also released.
Former players blamed both frequent team changes and Pakistan Cricket Board management for the crisis.
- Who
- Pakistan’s Test team, the Pakistan Cricket Board, its coaches and selectors, and former players including Asif Iqbal and Rashid Latif.
- What
- Pakistan’s cricket crisis deepened after a 194-run loss to England, prompting squad and coaching changes.
- When
- The Lord’s defeat occurred on Sunday, changes were announced Monday, and the next Test begins September 9.
- Where
- The defeat was at Lord’s, and the next Test is scheduled for Birmingham.
- Why
- The crisis is linked in the article to repeated defeats, selection and coaching changes, administrative mismanagement, and weak grassroots infrastructure.
Give the Team More Time
Hold the Board Accountable
How to respond to poor results
Give the Team More Time
Asif Iqbal argued that Pakistan should avoid frequent chopping and changing and give the selected players more time.
Hold the Board Accountable
Rashid Latif argued that the cricket board, selection committee and coaches must be held responsible for the team’s repeated failures.
Babar Azam’s captaincy
Give the Team More Time
Iqbal said Babar Azam should receive two or three series as captain unless he personally believes another leader would do better.
Hold the Board Accountable
The article’s criticism of the wider administration suggests that leadership decisions should be considered alongside selection and coaching problems.
Immediate changes
Give the Team More Time
Supporters of continuity would see the release of established players and coaches as another disruptive change.
Hold the Board Accountable
Supporters of immediate action would point to poor performances, Mohammad Rizwan’s low scores and doubts surrounding Imam-ul Haq’s injury.
- Recent Test record
- Pakistan has lost 15 of its last 20 Test matches.
- Away record
- Pakistan has lost 10 of its last 11 away Tests.
- Lord’s result
- England defeated Pakistan by 194 runs.
- Player changes
- Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul Haq were released before the Birmingham Test.
- Coaching changes
- Mike Hesson replaced Sarfaraz Ahmed as Test coach, and Ashley Noffke joined the Test staff.
- Additional release
- Bowling coach Umar Gul was released.
- New squad members
- Five uncapped players were added, alongside Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal.