{
  "id": 4911243,
  "title": "Pakistan Cricket In Turmoil Ahead Of England Test; 7 Players Dropped, Coaches Removed Amid Selection Row",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/pakistan-cricket-in-turmoil-ahead-of-england-test-7-players-dropped",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-01T17:43:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/pakistan-cricket-in-turmoil-ahead-of-england-test-7-players-dropped-coaches-removed-amid-selection-row"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan cricket found itself in turmoil on September 1, 2026, following the release of seven players and the dismissal of coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul from the national squad just days before the third Test against England at Edgbaston. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) demanded answers from the selection committee regarding the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq in the Test squad. The selection committee was given a 24-hour window to provide a written explanation, but they failed to meet the deadline. Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq also tendered his resignation from the selection committee following the PCB's decision to make significant changes to the Test squad and coaching staff during the ongoing tour of England. In response to the personnel changes, Pakistan brought in five uncapped players along with Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke as part of the Test coaching staff.",
  "summary": "London [UK], September 1: Pakistan cricket plunged into crisis after seven players were released and coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were removed ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sought explanations from selectors over the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq. Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}