{
  "id": 4679938,
  "title": "Major shake-up in Pakistan cricket: Seven players, coaches Sarfaraz, Gul released",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/major-shake-up-in-pakistan-cricket-seven-players-coaches-sarfaraz-gul",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-31T17:06:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/major-shake-up-in-pakistan-cricket-after-lords-rout-seven-players-coaches-sarfaraz-gul-released/articleshow/133659057.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a significant mid-tour overhaul in response to their 194-run defeat to England at Lord’s. Seven players, including former white-ball captain Salman Ali Agha, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, and opening batter Imam-ul-Haq, have been released from the Test squad. The board has also brought in seven replacements, including Test-capped batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, along with left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas. Additionally, four uncapped players at Test level have been added to the squad. Red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have also been released and replaced by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke for the remainder of the England tour.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Pakistan drop seven players and release head coach",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/pakistan-drop-seven-players-and-release-head-coach",
        "published": "2026-08-31T16:20:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ESPNcricinfo",
        "title": "Pakistan send seven players home and bring in Hesson to coach Test side",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/pakistan-send-seven-players-home-and-bring-in-hesson-to-coach-test",
        "published": "2026-08-31T16:25:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}