Why was Sarfaraz Ahmed removed as Pakistan's Test coach? Report reveals shocking reason

The selection dispute reportedly has emerged as the real and shocking reason for the removal of Pakistan Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, according to sports journalist Abdul Majid Bhatti, who disclosed this ahead of the third Test of the three-match series against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham.  

The reporter claimed that many paid focus on the removal of Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul but didn’t think of investigating the reasons behind the decision. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) called their white-ball coach, Mike Hesson, for the third Test.  

PCB sacks Sarfaraz Ahmed mid-series after back-to-back heavy defeats vs England

Sarfaraz allegedly received a message from Aaqib Javed regarding the selection of the playing XI for the second Test at Lord’s. The reported instructions included playing Ubaid Shah or Aamer Jamal in the eleven and dropping the wicket-keeper batter, Mohammad Rizwan, to hand the debut cap to Ghazi Ghori.

Bhatti further claimed that Sarfaraz had a discussion about the matter with the captain, Babar Azam, who refused to accept the proposed changes. The report has also stated that Babar replied to Sarfaraz that he would take the field with Rizwan and Khurram Shahzad. 

See Also: Fatima Sana fined for send-off to Shafali Verma during Asia Cup 2026 clash vs India

The reporter also noted that the disagreement led to tensions with the team management, and Sarfaraz was removed from the coaching role after the Lord’s Test. The report doesn’t include an official response from the board, Babar, and Sarfaraz.

Mike Hesson takes charge as Pakistan overhaul their squad ahead of the Edgbaston decider

The Pakistan board brought the two Test-capped players, batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, while the uncapped group comprises pace-bowling all-rounders Razaullah Khan and Mohammad Imran, left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas, wicketkeeper Saad Baig and left-arm pacer Mohammad Imran Junior, into the squad ahead of the Edgbaston game.

The PCB dropped their two veteran players- Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha- along with Imam-ul-Haq, who reportedly faked an injury and will not be batting during the second Test, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Zafar.

See Also: Match-fixing concerns in Pakistan cricket? PCB investigates Rizwan & Imam ahead of 3rd Test vs England- Report

Pakistan’s biggest issue with the bat in the series was not scoring 200 runs in the four innings. They would hope to improve their batting department in the third Test and end the series by a margin of 2-1.