Pak national selector Aaqib Javed defends mid-series squad shake-up, …

Islamabad [Pakistan], September 2 (ANI): Pakistan national selector Aaqib Javed defended the decision of a massive squad shake-up ahead of the third England Test at Edgbaston and also hinted at action against batter Imam-ul-Haq, on whom allegations of faking an injury are surfacing.

Pakistan made major changes to their Test set-up ahead of the third and final Test against England from September 9, replacing almost half of their squad and releasing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul following heavy defeats in the first two Tests against Three Lions, according to Cricinfo. The changes come after Pakistan suffered a 194-run defeat in the second Test, allowing England to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. In the first Test, Pakistan had lost by an innings margin. saltysenoritaaz.org

Javed spoke on Geo News programme "Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, saying that the selection committee bore the responsibility of the squad chosen, while combinations used for the match lay in the realm of the captain and head coach.

During the programme, Javed said that he had communicated with captain Babar Azam and coach Sarfaraz Ahmed to use pacer Ubaid Shah to add variety to the pace attack, but it was not acted upon.

“When decisions are not being made according to the plan, messages are conveyed that the playing eleven needs to be corrected," Aaqib said as quoted by Geo News, also adding that with the series already gone, there was nothing to lose by introducing fresh talent at Edgbaston and showcasing the country’s cricket talent to the world.

Aaqib also defended the decision to release seven players mid-series, saying that performance and accountability were important for established players, which they could not produce on tour. He also said that the squad of 17 was selected on merit and performance, but action had to be taken after failure to produce results, as per Geo News.

PCB had released seven players from the squad, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad after the loss at Lord’s.

On the controversy regarding Imam-ul-Haq allegedly faking a calf injury, missing out on both innings with the bat, but taking throwdowns on day 4 with a taped calf, Javed said that it was a “big question mark" that a player could not bat in a Test due to a muscle pull. Imam missed both innings with the bat after injuring his calf while fielding, but his receiving throwdowns generated speculation and controversy about whether he was faking his injury or not.

“Players have played with plasters on before. This is unfortunate, and action will be taken," he added, as quoted by Geo News.

On the short tenure of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, who was appointed to the post back in April this year, Javed said results were not the only aspect, but resource management and how they led the players was just as important, no matter how long their tenure was, as per Geo News.

Pakistan have brought in five uncapped players along with Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have a combined experience of just 10 matches. The five uncapped players added to the squad are Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, who are part of Pakistan’s white- ball coaching set-up as head coach and bowling coach respectively, have also joined the Test coaching staff, the report added.

Earlier, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq offered his resignation from the Pakistan men’s national selection committee following the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to make major changes to the Test squad and coaching staff during the ongoing tour of England, according to Cricinfo.

According to the report, the PCB is yet to accept Misbah’s resignation. He has also decided to step down from his role as a batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

Misbah, who retired as Pakistan’s most successful Test captain in 2017, has held several positions within the PCB over the years. He was appointed head coach and chief selector in 2019. before stepping down as chief selector in October 2020 to focus on his coaching responsibilities. He later resigned as head coach in 2021.

In 2023, Misbah returned to the PCB as an advisor under then ad hoc management committee chief Zaka Ashraf. He was subsequently appointed as one of five mentors for the men’s Champions Cup in 2024 and also worked with women’s domestic teams.

Last month, he coached the Pakistan Gold side to victory in the 50-over National Champions Cup in Multan under captain Shaheen Afridi.

Misbah was appointed to the four-member national selector committee in March this year alongside Aaqib Javed, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq.

He was also working with the PCB under a contract that required him to serve as a batting consultant for 180 days a year.

PCB sought explanations from selectors over the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq.

According to Cricinfo, the notice was issued on Monday, the same day the board announced its decision to send home seven players and two coaches ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston

The selection committee was asked to submit a written explanation within 24 hours, detailing the reasons behind Rizwan and Imam’s selections and the process followed in making the decisions.

From the start of 2024 until the West Indies tour, Rizwan was Pakistan’s leading Test run-scorer and also boasted the team’s highest batting average. Imam, meanwhile, had featured in only two Tests during that period but had been among the leading run-scorers in domestic cricket.

The defeat at Lord’s was Pakistan’s 15th in the last 20 Tests. They currently sit at the bottom of the 1CC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings. The third Test will begin at Edgbaston on September 9, with Pakistan aiming to end the series on a positive note and avoid a 3-0 clean sweep.

Pakistan squad for Birmingham Test against England: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Ubaid Shah. (ANI)

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Manchester City have completed the signing of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea for £125m (over Rs 1601 crore), matching the British transfer record and taking their spending during the summer window to a Premier League-record £562.5m (over 7207 crore). The deal, agreed after negotiations between the clubs over the past 24 hours, means Fernandez leaves the London club after three years at Stamford Bridge.

Manchester [UK], September 2 (ANI): Manchester City on Tuesday announced the signing of Senegal international Iliman Ndiaye for a five-year deal.

Ndiaye arrives at the setup of multi-time Premier League champions after a stint with Everton, a club he played for from 2024 to 2026. Before that, he represented Marseille and shone in the Championship with Sheffield United during their 2022/23 promotion campaign. He has also earned 44 national appearances, including at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups.

With his ability to score through both feet and to play on either wing or in the middle, Ndiaye will be a crucial part of Enzo Maresca’s revamped Man City for the 2026-27 season.

Speaking about his signing to the club, Ndiaye said, as per the club’s official website, “I have worked my whole life for an opportunity like this. City are one of the best clubs in the world, and I have seen them win everything as I have grown up."

“To be able to write my own chapter in a story that special is the chance of a lifetime, and I am determined to grab it with both hands. It is not always been easy in my career, but I always had the belief that I could play for a team challenging for the biggest prizes, and now I am here. It feels so good."

“I love to play with the ball on the floor in an attacking team that wants to score as many goals as possible. That’s why I know this is the perfect fit. City fans can rest assured that I will give my all to bring more success to this incredible club," he signed off.

Director of Football Hugo Viana added: “Iliman is a very talented footballer. He has had to work incredibly hard to reach this level, and in my first conversation with him it was immediately obvious how grounded he is and the determination he has to be the best player he can be. I have no doubt City fans will get a thrill seeing him in action for us.

“We know this Club develops players. We make a commitment to every single player we sign that we will make them better footballers. I am really excited to see the level Iliman can reach in the years ahead because I know for sure working with Enzo and his staff is going to ensure he becomes a top-class Premier League player," he signed off. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is down with a fever amid chaos around the shake-up within the men's team ahead of the third Test against England at Edgbaston.

Team manager Naveed Akram Cheema verified the news that while the star batter was feeling unwell, there is no need for alarm as he remains in good overall health and is expected to recover swiftly.

This update comes as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a massive squad overhaul leading up to the final Test at Edgbaston starting September 9, where Pakistan will seek to prevent a 3-0 series sweep.

Babar managed scores of only eight and six at Lord's as the visiting side slumped to a 194-run defeat. The Pakistan captain had missed the opening Test due to injury, leaving Salman Ali Agha to step in with the captaincy armband.

Selection chaos shakes up Pakistan cricket

Following back-to-back heavy losses against the Three Lions, the PCB opted to replace nearly half of their touring squad, while releasing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. White-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke have been called upon to join the Test setup.

Seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad, were released from the squad. In their place, five uncapped players, alongside Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, were drafted in.

Additionally, former captain Misbah-ul-Haq submitted his resignation from the selection panel following the PCB's abrupt decision to alter the squad and coaching staff mid-tour. The board has also asked selectors to submit a written explanation within 24 hours on the initial selection of Rizwan and Imam.

The defeat at Lord's marked Pakistan's 15th loss in their past 20 Test matches, taking them to the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship standings. The final Test at Edgbaston gives Pakistan one last chance to claim a consolation victory in the series.

Pakistan squad for Birmingham Test against England:

Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Ubaid Shah

(With inputs from ANI)