Usama Mir Slams Pakistan Cricket System After England Defeats

Usama Mir‘s enigmatic words came shortly after the Pakistan Cricket Board made significant changes midway through the series, following two crushing defeats to England.

Usama Mir’s veiled criticism of the PCB and team management

Pakistan’s visit of England spiralled into chaos after two straight Test defeats in August 2026. The team lost the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs on August 19, followed by another loss at Lord’s on August 27, when England won by 194 runs. Pakistan’s batting collapse was especially pronounced in the second Test, when the team was bowled out for 110 in the first and 194 in the second innings while chasing 389.

Following these consecutive defeats, the Pakistan Cricket Board made significant changes to the team and coaching structure ahead of the third Test, which begins on September 9 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

The PCB discharged seven players: Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad. The board also changed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, putting in fresh leadership to help save the trip.

The popular Hindi-Urdu proverb refers to a circumstance in which action is taken or sorrow is voiced after the damage has already been caused. Mir did not specifically mention the PCB or any individual in either of his posts.

Mike Hesson was named Test captain by the PCB, and Ashley Noffke was hired to improve the backroom personnel. Seven replacements were called up to the team, including Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, despite the fact that five of the incoming players had never played Test cricket.

Mir’s remarks emphasised the conflict between the board’s reactive reorganisation and broader worries about the team’s preparation and management, which contributed to the early Test losses. The third Test at Edgbaston would provide the new-look Pakistan team a chance to respond under new leadership.