Pakistan have created a world record: Ramiz Raja reacts to mass sackings in England

Former captain Ramiz Raja has likened Pakistan's extraordinary mid-series overhaul to a football manager being sacked halfway through a season, accusing the Pakistan Cricket Board of pressing the "panic button" after a dramatic decision that has left the team facing an uncertain future.

Speaking on the BBC Test Match Special podcast, the former Pakistan captain and PCB chairman said he was shocked by the decision to send seven players home and remove head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul after Pakistan lost the first two Tests against England.

"A lot of shock," Raja said when asked for his initial reaction.

"This is not done in cricket. And so why have they done it? Obviously, they're feeling the heat. But in any circumstances during the series, this has never happened."

Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat at Headingley before England completed a 194-run victory at Lord's on Sunday to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series. The response from the PCB was sweeping: Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were released from the squad, while Sarfaraz and Gul were also removed.

Raja believes the scale and timing of the changes are unprecedented.

"So Pakistan have actually created a world record," he said.

"I am really, really not happy with this situation."

He compared the decision with football, where a manager can be dismissed during a campaign, but argued that cricket's series structure should have encouraged Pakistan to wait.

"This is more like football, midway through the season, you fire the manager," Raja said. "But this is a series that is happening. So they could have easily waited for another 10 days before taking a call."

The former PCB chairman was particularly critical of the decision to overhaul the playing group before the final Test at Edgbaston, with seven replacements brought into the squad, including five players yet to play Test cricket.

"I still am trying to convince myself that this is all okay," Raja said. "It just shows Pakistan cricket has hit a panic button and it's not good for the game, not good for the confidence of the players who have left and not good for the confidence of the players who have come in."

He went further, warning that such instability could alter the character of the team.

"It makes you a selfish team, it makes you an individualistic team," Raja said. "And what is the guarantee that they will get the results also?"

"This is mass culling."

'IT'S GONE HAYWIRE'

For Raja, however, the problems extend far beyond one series or one selection call. Pakistan have gone through repeated changes in leadership, coaching and administration, and he believes that instability has damaged the team's identity.

"It's a plethora of so many things that have happened. It's gone haywire," he said.

Asked how Pakistan can fix the situation, Raja offered a stark response: "If you ask me how to fix it, I have no idea. I really have no idea."

He expects the turbulence to continue unless the PCB changes its approach.

"The next year or so is going to be as turbulent as the last year or two," he said.

Raja was equally concerned about the message sent by the removal of Sarfaraz and Gul, two former Pakistan internationals who had themselves enjoyed distinguished playing careers.

"Once you remove a coach. In this instance, you have thrown out Sarfaraz Ahmed, his deputy Umar Gul," he said. "These are cricketers who have done so well for Pakistan over the years. But they have been booted out."

"I don't know what will happen to the psyche of the team and the ex-cricketers," Raja said. "Who would want a job with Pakistan cricket if they are not respected?"

Babar Azam will be under immense pressure when Pakistan take the field in the third and final Test, starting September 9 in Birmingham.