Misbah-ul-Haq Resigns From Pakistan Selection Committee After England Test Changes
Pakistan cricket is going through another difficult moment. Misbah-ul-Haq, a senior member of the selection committee and a former Pakistan cricket team captain, has resigned from the Pakistan Cricket Board national selection committee.
His decision comes just days after the PCB made several changes to the Test team and coaching staff following Pakistan poor results against England. Pakistan are already 2-0 down in the three-match Test series, and the board has now made some major changes before the final game.
Why Did Misbah-ul-Haq Resign?
Reports suggest that Misbah decided to leave the selection committee after differences over some recent decisions about the Pakistan Test team.
The PCB made several changes to the squad after Pakistan lost their second Test against England. Misbah was reportedly not fully involved in some of the discussions about these changes.
Misbah joined the new selection committee in March 2026 along with former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. They joined the committee after former international umpire Aleem Dar left his position. Aqib Javed and Asad Shafiq were also part of the selection panel.
Because Misbah had joined the committee only a few months ago, his decision to leave has attracted a lot of attention.
Pakistan Makes Major Changes After England Defeats
Misbah's resignation came at a time when the PCB was already making big changes to the Pakistan team.
England defeated Pakistan by 194 runs at Lord and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series. Pakistan struggled with the bat during the match, which put more pressure on the team management.
After the defeat, the PCB decided to release seven players from the Test squad before the third match.
The seven players are:
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Salman Ali Agha
- Ali Usman
- Aamir Jamal
- Muhammad Awais Zafar
- Khurram Shahzad
Pakistan have also added several new players to the squad, including Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Junior and Saad Baig.
These changes show how seriously the PCB is taking Pakistan's poor results in the series.
Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul Also Leave Their Roles
The changes were not only about the players.
Pakistan also removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from their Test roles. White ball head coach Mike Hesson has now been brought in to lead the Test team, while Ashley Noffke will work with the bowlers.
Sarfaraz had only taken charge as head coach in April, so his removal came quite quickly.
The timing also makes things difficult for Pakistan. There is only one Test left in the series, giving the new coaching team very little time to work with the players and prepare them for the final match.
Pakistan's Batting Has Been a Big Problem
Pakistan's biggest problem in the series has been their batting.
The team has struggled to score enough runs and did not cross 200 runs in any innings during the first two Tests, according to Reuters.
At Lord's Saud Shakeel was one of the few Pakistan batters who stood up to the England attack. He scored a fighting 97 runs in the second innings, but his effort was not enough to save Pakistan.
England's fast bowlers have also made life difficult for Pakistan's batting lineup.
Ollie Robinson was England's best bowler at Lord's, taking eight wickets in the match. Josh Tongue and Jofra Archer also caused problems for the Pakistan batters.
What Does Misbah's Resignation Mean for Pakistan?
Misbah's departure could lead to more questions about how decisions are being made inside Pakistan cricket.
The national selection committee has an important job. Its members help choose players for the national team and have to make decisions based on form, fitness and the team's needs.
When major squad changes are made during a Test series, good communication between the selectors and PCB management becomes even more important.
Misbah's resignation has therefore added another issue for the PCB to deal with.
The full reason behind his decision should become clearer if the PCB gives more details about his resignation. For now, his departure has come at a very important time for Pakistan cricket.
Can Pakistan Avoid a 3-0 Defeat?
Pakistan still have one chance to finish the series on a positive note.
The third and final Test against England is scheduled to start on September 9 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Pakistan will enter the match with a different-looking squad and a changed coaching setup. Several experienced players have been sent home, while younger players have been given an opportunity.
The final Test will therefore be an important game for Pakistan. It will show whether the latest changes can bring a quick improvement or whether the team will face another difficult result.
England have already won the series 2-0 and will now be looking to complete a 3-0 clean sweep. England's interim head coach Marcus Trescothick has also made it clear that his team will continue to push for another win despite already securing the series.
For Pakistan, the challenge is simple: they need to find a way to stop the losing run and give their fans something positive to take from the final Test.