{
  "id": 4694785,
  "title": "Pakistan drop seven players, two coaches ahead of 3rd Test",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/pakistan-drop-seven-players-two-coaches-ahead-of-3rd-test",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T18:48:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/pakistan-drop-seven-players-two-coaches-ahead-of-3rd-test-1.500658662"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced significant changes to its Test squad and coaching staff ahead of the third and final Test against England in Birmingham. Seven players, including Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, have been released from the squad, while coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul have also been let go. Seven replacements have been named, with five uncapped players and two who have previously represented Pakistan in Test cricket. This major reshuffle comes a day after Pakistan suffered a 194-run defeat to England in the second Test, which left England with an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "Seven players, including Rizwan and Imam, released after second Test defeat in England: PCB",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/seven-players-including-rizwan-and-imam-released-after-second-test",
        "published": "2026-08-31T16:26:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Rizwan, Imam among 7 players sent back home by PCB ahead of 3rd England Test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/rizwan-imam-among-7-players-sent-back-home-by-pcb-ahead-of-3rd",
        "published": "2026-08-31T17:24:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Pakistan replace coach Sarfaraz and seven players ahead of third England test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/pakistan-replace-coach-sarfaraz-and-seven-players-ahead-of-third",
        "published": "2026-08-31T17:43:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}