Former Pakistan captains and cricket veterans tore into their cricket board after Pakistan surrendered the three-Test series in the UK, with British media calling them the worst team to visit England in the last 50 years. 1992 World Cup winner Wasim Akram, former white-ball captain Shahid Afridi and legendary leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed showed no mercy while snapping at Pakistan Cricket following a record low. While Akram said he saw this coming five years ago, Afridi’s heart went out to the players, whom he feels were disrespected. Ahmed, however, reflected on the current situation, saying it will take a long time to fix this mess.&nbsp;Pakistan failed to cross 200 until the final innings of the third Test in Birmingham, with batters facing scrutiny for the miserable performance. Pakistan lost the first two Tests in Leeds and London by significant margins before it all fell apart for Babar Azam’s side. The PCB took harsh steps by releasing two main coaches, including head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, while also sending seven first-team squad members home.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-d-be-open-to-it-mike-hesson-expresses-interest-in-pakistan-test-coaching-role-1789278251514">'I'd be open to it': Mike Hesson expresses interest in Pakistan Test coaching role</a>&nbsp;Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha – who stood as the interim captain for the series opener in Babar’s absence - and Imam-ul-Haq were sent home after the Lord's Test. The selection committee picked seven replacements, five of whom were uncapped.Pakistan also recalled white-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke to replace Sarfaraz and Gul.&nbsp;In the third and final Test at Edgbaston, the Babar-led team made several changes, including three debutants, even though the result didn’t change as England won by eight wickets and inflicted a series whitewash.<h2>Who Said What?</h2>Bowling king Wasim Akram said, "It's a disappointing state, but I could see this coming for the last five years, and you can't blame one particular person and one factor because there are many.”&nbsp;"We need to realise that we lack talent in red-ball cricket. White-ball teams are okay. &nbsp;It's easy to blame the PCB chairman, but when we were sleeping and not addressing the overall flaws, then such a fall happens,” said Akram to AFP.&nbsp;Akram’s fellow former star Shahid Afridi described the situation at the helm as "bleak".&nbsp;"These are gloomy times in Pakistan cricket," Afridi told AFP. "You don't disrespect players like this, and your system is not strong."&nbsp;Mushtaq, on the other hand, said, "We had a great number of match-winners and a strong legacy, and that is why we produced results in the past. Now the decline is steep and will take time to fix."&nbsp;After losing to England, Pakistan sit at the bottom of the points table with seven losses and two wins in nine contested matches in the current WTC 2025/27 cycle.

Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi, and Mushtaq Ahmed slam the PCB after Pakistan's 3-0 Test series collapse against England leaves them bottom of the WTC table.

Former Pakistan captains and cricket veterans tore into their cricket board after Pakistan surrendered the three-Test series in the UK, with British media calling them the worst team to visit England in the last 50 years. 1992 World Cup winner Wasim Akram, former white-ball captain Shahid Afridi and legendary leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed showed no mercy while snapping at Pakistan Cricket following a record low. While Akram said he saw this coming five years ago, Afridi’s heart went out to the players, whom he feels were disrespected. Ahmed, however, reflected on the current situation, saying it will take a long time to fix this mess. Pakistan failed to cross 200 until the final innings of the third Test in Birmingham, with batters facing scrutiny for the miserable performance. Pakistan lost the first two Tests in Leeds and London by significant margins before it all fell apart for Babar Azam’s side. The PCB took harsh steps by releasing two main coaches, including head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, while also sending seven first-team squad members home. Also read| 'I'd be open to it': Mike Hesson expresses interest in Pakistan Test coaching role Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha – who stood as the interim captain for the series opener in Babar’s absence - and Imam-ul-Haq were sent home after the Lord's Test. The selection committee picked seven replacements, five of whom were uncapped. Pakistan also recalled white-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke to replace Sarfaraz and Gul. In the third and final Test at Edgbaston, the Babar-led team made several changes, including three debutants, even though the result didn’t change as England won by eight wickets and inflicted a series whitewash. Who Said What? Bowling king Wasim Akram said, "It's a disappointing state, but I could see this coming for the last five years, and you can't blame one particular person and one factor because there are many.” "We need to realise that we lack talent in red-ball cricket. White-ball teams are okay. It's easy to blame the PCB chairman, but when we were sleeping and not addressing the overall flaws, then such a fall happens,” said Akram to AFP. Akram’s fellow former star Shahid Afridi described the situation at the helm as "bleak". "These are gloomy times in Pakistan cricket," Afridi told AFP. "You don't disrespect players like this, and your system is not strong." Mushtaq, on the other hand, said, "We had a great number of match-winners and a strong legacy, and that is why we produced results in the past. Now the decline is steep and will take time to fix." After losing to England, Pakistan sit at the bottom of the points table with seven losses and two wins in nine contested matches in the current WTC 2025/27 cycle.

Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi, and Mushtaq Ahmed slam the PCB after Pakistan's 3-0 Test series collapse against England leaves them bottom of the WTC table.

Akram, Afridi, Mushtaq tear into PCB after Pakistan’s Test series collapse in UK

Former Pakistan batter Bazid Khan has accused the ECB of pitch bias following Pakistan’s Test series loss in England. Bazid's comments come amid a turbulent week for Pakistan cricket and selectors, following the PCB's internal investigation into dressing room conduct, which is further linked to match- and spot-fixing allegations. Since losing the Lord’s Test by 194 runs, which led to seven first-squad players facing the axe and two top coaches being released, the former Pakistan cricketer touched on another topic and brought India into the conversation. &nbsp;Bazid said that, for the commercial value India brings to the table, they often get pitches where the matches last all five days, while that is not the case when other teams, including Pakistan, tour England for the Test series. Bazid’s comments have come on the back of Pakistan’s horror show thus far against England, having failed to cross 200 across four innings in two contested Tests.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/deflated-me-mentally-ex-pak-coach-gillespie-slams-aaqib-javed-s-intereference-claims-pcb-owes-him-money-1788860291800">'Deflated me mentally': Ex-Pak coach Gillespie slams Aaqib Javed's interference, claims PCB owes him money</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;“When India go to England for a Test series, they get pitches that make the game last all five days. Every Test match with India lasts five days. Why? Because if it ends early, there will be a financial hit to the wallet of the board. Any other team goes to England, the Test ends in three days. It’s not like the nature of the pitch changed. You are creating pitches that way that the game would last five days for India games,” Bazid said on OutSide EDGE. &nbsp;He, however, put every country that hosts India in the same bracket as that of England. &nbsp;“When India come for a tour, it’s a money-making opportunity,” he added.&nbsp; &nbsp;When he was asked if the apex body (ICC) should look into this, Bazid said, “This is not an ICC call. These are bilateral tours.” &nbsp;Meanwhile, India’s last tour of England, consisting of five Tests, spanned all 25 days, with cricket being played on all days of each Test. Elsewhere, Pakistan’s ongoing tour saw them play only seven days across two Tests. The series opener at Headingley in Leeds wrapped up within three days, with Pakistan suffering an innings and 103-run defeat; the second Test lasted four days, with the visitors facing another crushing loss. &nbsp;Edgbaston, Birmingham, will host the third and final Test starting Wednesday (Sep 9).

Former Pakistan batter Bazid Khan has accused the ECB of pitch bias, alleging host boards prepare 5-day tracks for India for commercial gain while giving Pakistan 3-day pitches.

Former Pakistan batter Bazid Khan has accused the ECB of pitch bias following Pakistan’s Test series loss in England. Bazid's comments come amid a turbulent week for Pakistan cricket and selectors, following the PCB's internal investigation into dressing room conduct, which is further linked to match- and spot-fixing allegations. Since losing the Lord’s Test by 194 runs, which led to seven first-squad players facing the axe and two top coaches being released, the former Pakistan cricketer touched on another topic and brought India into the conversation. Bazid said that, for the commercial value India brings to the table, they often get pitches where the matches last all five days, while that is not the case when other teams, including Pakistan, tour England for the Test series. Bazid’s comments have come on the back of Pakistan’s horror show thus far against England, having failed to cross 200 across four innings in two contested Tests. Also read| 'Deflated me mentally': Ex-Pak coach Gillespie slams Aaqib Javed's interference, claims PCB owes him money “When India go to England for a Test series, they get pitches that make the game last all five days. Every Test match with India lasts five days. Why? Because if it ends early, there will be a financial hit to the wallet of the board. Any other team goes to England, the Test ends in three days. It’s not like the nature of the pitch changed. You are creating pitches that way that the game would last five days for India games,” Bazid said on OutSide EDGE. He, however, put every country that hosts India in the same bracket as that of England. “When India come for a tour, it’s a money-making opportunity,” he added. When he was asked if the apex body (ICC) should look into this, Bazid said, “This is not an ICC call. These are bilateral tours.” Meanwhile, India’s last tour of England, consisting of five Tests, spanned all 25 days, with cricket being played on all days of each Test. Elsewhere, Pakistan’s ongoing tour saw them play only seven days across two Tests. The series opener at Headingley in Leeds wrapped up within three days, with Pakistan suffering an innings and 103-run defeat; the second Test lasted four days, with the visitors facing another crushing loss. Edgbaston, Birmingham, will host the third and final Test starting Wednesday (Sep 9).

Former Pakistan batter Bazid Khan has accused the ECB of pitch bias, alleging host boards prepare 5-day tracks for India for commercial gain while giving Pakistan 3-day pitches.

Bazid Khan accuses ECB of pitch bias; claims India get 5-day tracks for commercial value

Pakistan Test captain and talismanic batter Babar Azam has suffered an injury scare ahead of the first Test against England in Leeds on August 19. Batting against Professional County Club Select XI in Pakistan’s lone warm-up fixture, Babar was forced to retire hurt on five after being hit on the right hand. The incident took place on the second day of the practice game, with a PCB spokesperson confirming Babar’s unavailability for the remainder of the match. &nbsp;That spokesperson, however, confirmed that "Babar will participate in Pakistan team's practice session on Monday at Headingley Cricket Ground." &nbsp;Meanwhile, in reply to PCC’s first innings score of 305, Pakistan made 238, with England’s first-choice spinner Shoaib Bashir returning with four for 76. Teenage medium-pacer Manny Lumsden also impressed with his 2/24 at Beckenham ground in Kent, southeast England. At stumps on day 2, the PCC was 128 for three, leading by 195 runs.&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-sl-shubman-gill-wtc-final-600th-test-1786760878245">IND vs SL 2026: Ahead of India’s 600th Test, Shubman Gill sets eyes on the WTC Final</a> &nbsp;On the other hand, England opening batsman Emilio Gay registered a pair against Pakistan, and will arrive at Headingley with his recent form struggles further compounded. Gay, looking to prove his fitness after suffering a shoulder injury playing for Durham in the One-Day Cup last week, faced just seven balls on Friday in an innings that ended when he edged behind off Mohammad Ali.<h2>Pakistan’s First UK Test Series Since 2020</h2>Babar Azam-led Pakistan will play a Test match in England for the first time since 2020. Although the two teams have faced off in several white-ball series in the UK, with Pakistan also hosting England twice in Tests in the meantime, the Leeds Test will be the first on English soil in over six years. &nbsp;Pakistan is ninth in the WTC standings for the current cycle, and will enter this series on the back of a 1-1 series in the Caribbean. Although their chances of making the WTC Final next year are bleak, winning the Test series in England for the first time since 1996 would be Babar’s first goal.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pakistan will face England across three Tests this time, starting in Leeds, Lord's (Aug 27-31) and Birmingham (Sep 9-13).

Babar Azam suffered an injury scare ahead of the 1st Test against England at Headingley, retiring hurt during Pakistan's warm-up fixture against PCC XI.

Pakistan Test captain and talismanic batter Babar Azam has suffered an injury scare ahead of the first Test against England in Leeds on August 19. Batting against Professional County Club Select XI in Pakistan’s lone warm-up fixture, Babar was forced to retire hurt on five after being hit on the right hand. The incident took place on the second day of the practice game, with a PCB spokesperson confirming Babar’s unavailability for the remainder of the match. That spokesperson, however, confirmed that "Babar will participate in Pakistan team's practice session on Monday at Headingley Cricket Ground." Meanwhile, in reply to PCC’s first innings score of 305, Pakistan made 238, with England’s first-choice spinner Shoaib Bashir returning with four for 76. Teenage medium-pacer Manny Lumsden also impressed with his 2/24 at Beckenham ground in Kent, southeast England. At stumps on day 2, the PCC was 128 for three, leading by 195 runs. Also read| IND vs SL 2026: Ahead of India’s 600th Test, Shubman Gill sets eyes on the WTC Final On the other hand, England opening batsman Emilio Gay registered a pair against Pakistan, and will arrive at Headingley with his recent form struggles further compounded. Gay, looking to prove his fitness after suffering a shoulder injury playing for Durham in the One-Day Cup last week, faced just seven balls on Friday in an innings that ended when he edged behind off Mohammad Ali. Pakistan’s First UK Test Series Since 2020 Babar Azam-led Pakistan will play a Test match in England for the first time since 2020. Although the two teams have faced off in several white-ball series in the UK, with Pakistan also hosting England twice in Tests in the meantime, the Leeds Test will be the first on English soil in over six years. Pakistan is ninth in the WTC standings for the current cycle, and will enter this series on the back of a 1-1 series in the Caribbean. Although their chances of making the WTC Final next year are bleak, winning the Test series in England for the first time since 1996 would be Babar’s first goal. Pakistan will face England across three Tests this time, starting in Leeds, Lord's (Aug 27-31) and Birmingham (Sep 9-13).

Babar Azam suffered an injury scare ahead of the 1st Test against England at Headingley, retiring hurt during Pakistan's warm-up fixture against PCC XI.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam suffers injury scare ahead of 1st Test vs England

Former Pakistan captain and talismanic keeper Rashid Latif has a strange suggestion for the PCB and the Test skipper Babar Azam ahead of the three-match Test series against England starting August 19. Latif feels the PCB should be smart and not send Babar for the pressers, and instead have the batting mainstay Shan Masood handle the media briefings. While Masood is arguably the most fluent English speaker in the squad, Latif’s logic goes beyond language—he fears the British media will try to create controversial headlines that could put Babar under undue pressure. &nbsp;“An England tour is a difficult assignment, and the English media often tries to unnecessarily involve visiting teams in news stories,” Rashid said on Geo News’ Score. “Babar Azam is an experienced player, so it would be better for the PCB management to keep him away from the English media and send former captain Shan Masood to speak to them more often. Shan has played in England and has better experience of dealing with the English media.”&nbsp;Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/irfan-pathan-kumar-sangakkara-sledging-delhi-test-2005-cheat-1786445677586">'Your Parents Teach You to Cheat': Irfan Pathan recalls fierce on-field spat with Sangakkara</a> &nbsp;Babar replaced Masood as Pakistan’s Test captain for the third time recently. Under Masood, Pakistan suffered a series of losses, pushing them further down and away from the WTC final qualification, across three cycles.&nbsp; &nbsp;However, in the current cycle, which concludes with a final next year in June in England, Pakistan sits at the bottom in ninth place, with two wins and four losses in six concluded Tests. Their latest assignment was an away two-match Test series against the West Indies, which ended in a draw, with Pakistan winning the second Test.<h2>Pakistan in England</h2>Pakistan will return to England for a Test series for the first time since 2020, when the hosts won the three-match series 1-0. Although England had toured Pakistan in the meantime, whitewashing them in a famous rout in 2022, the two teams will square off in Leeds, London and Birmingham this time. &nbsp;Pakistan had enjoyed touring England in the late 80s and early 90s, winning three consecutive away series -- 1-0 in 1987, 2-1 in 1992 and 2-0 in 1996 - but haven’t won a Test series in the UK since.&nbsp;<h3>Pakistan Test Squad for England Tests –</h3>Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah and Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness for England)

Ex-Pakistan captain Rashid Latif urges the PCB to keep Babar Azam away from English media during the UK Test tour and let Shan Masood handle pressers.

Former Pakistan captain and talismanic keeper Rashid Latif has a strange suggestion for the PCB and the Test skipper Babar Azam ahead of the three-match Test series against England starting August 19. Latif feels the PCB should be smart and not send Babar for the pressers, and instead have the batting mainstay Shan Masood handle the media briefings. While Masood is arguably the most fluent English speaker in the squad, Latif’s logic goes beyond language—he fears the British media will try to create controversial headlines that could put Babar under undue pressure. “An England tour is a difficult assignment, and the English media often tries to unnecessarily involve visiting teams in news stories,” Rashid said on Geo News’ Score. “Babar Azam is an experienced player, so it would be better for the PCB management to keep him away from the English media and send former captain Shan Masood to speak to them more often. Shan has played in England and has better experience of dealing with the English media.” Also read| 'Your Parents Teach You to Cheat': Irfan Pathan recalls fierce on-field spat with Sangakkara Babar replaced Masood as Pakistan’s Test captain for the third time recently. Under Masood, Pakistan suffered a series of losses, pushing them further down and away from the WTC final qualification, across three cycles. However, in the current cycle, which concludes with a final next year in June in England, Pakistan sits at the bottom in ninth place, with two wins and four losses in six concluded Tests. Their latest assignment was an away two-match Test series against the West Indies, which ended in a draw, with Pakistan winning the second Test. Pakistan in England Pakistan will return to England for a Test series for the first time since 2020, when the hosts won the three-match series 1-0. Although England had toured Pakistan in the meantime, whitewashing them in a famous rout in 2022, the two teams will square off in Leeds, London and Birmingham this time. Pakistan had enjoyed touring England in the late 80s and early 90s, winning three consecutive away series -- 1-0 in 1987, 2-1 in 1992 and 2-0 in 1996 - but haven’t won a Test series in the UK since. Pakistan Test Squad for England Tests – Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori, Sajid Khan, Salman Agha, Shan Masood, Ubaid Shah and Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness for England)

Ex-Pakistan captain Rashid Latif urges the PCB to keep Babar Azam away from English media during the UK Test tour and let Shan Masood handle pressers.

'Send Shan Masood Instead': PCB urged to keep Babar Azam away from English media