Pakistan to replace Test coaches after heavy England losses

Pakistan is removing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul following two heavy Test defeats against England ^[2].

The coaching overhaul comes as the Pakistan Cricket Board attempts to stabilize a struggling squad during a three-match series ^[4]. The decision reflects a broader crisis in performance as the team faces a critical third Test tomorrow.

Reports indicate the board decided to remove Ahmed and Gul after the team suffered two brutal losses in England [2, 5]. The shake-up extends beyond the coaching staff, as the board also replaced seven players ahead of the final match of the series ^[3].

This instability follows a historically difficult run for the team in the region. Pakistan has lost five of six Tests historically in similar conditions ^[1]. The current series has mirrored those struggles, leading to the abrupt summons of staff and players back home ^[5].

While some reports described the removals as likely, other sources said the decision was finalized by the board on Monday ^[2]. The timing of the changes leaves the squad in transition just 24 hours before the final match begins.

Ahmed and Gul had been tasked with guiding the team through the English conditions, but the scale of the defeats prompted the board to act. The replacement of nearly a third of the starting lineup suggests a total lack of confidence in the current tactical approach ^[3].