Pakistan have responded to consecutive heavy losses against England by removing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed from his position and sending seven squad members home ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston.
The team suffered an innings defeat at Headingley in the series opener before losing by 194 runs at Lord's, allowing England to secure an unassailable 2-0 advantage in the four-match contest. The back-to-back setbacks have prompted the Pakistan Board to make sweeping changes to both coaching staff and playing personnel.
White-ball coach Mike Hesson will assume the role of head coach for the remainder of the series, replacing Ahmed. This represents a significant tactical shift as the board attempts to arrest the team's poor form during the England tour.
Context of Pakistan's struggles
Pakistan arrived in England already weakened by the absence of captain Babar Azam, who was ruled out of the opening Test at Headingley on 19 August 2026 following a hand injury. The touring party was depleted ahead of the series, marking a stark contrast to their famous victory at the Oval a decade earlier.
The scale of the defeats has prompted widespread debate about whether Pakistan is fielding one of its weakest Test squads in recent memory. The board's decisive action in removing the head coach and recalling players suggests an acknowledgment of the severity of the situation.
England's resurgence under new leadership
England's dominant performance in the series has come following significant changes to their own coaching structure. Brendon McCullum was dismissed as England Test head coach in July 2026 following poor results and off-field concerns, ending the Bazball era. McCullum accepted his removal and pledged support for his successor, while continuing in his white-ball coaching capacity as England sought a new red-ball leader.
Joe Root emerged as the frontrunner to captain England for the Pakistan series as the ECB completed its search for a new Test coach, and his leadership has proven effective in the opening two matches.
What happens next
Pakistan will attempt to salvage pride in the third Test at Edgbaston under Hesson's interim leadership, with the restructured squad facing an uphill task to prevent a series whitewash against a resurgent England side.
