Nasser Hussain has joined the growing criticism of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing the governing body of making the situation worse after the team suffered defeats in the first two Tests of the three-match series in England.
Pakistan were beaten in Headingley and Lord’s, after which the PCB made a sweeping overhaul of the touring set-up. Seven players were sent back from England, while two members of the coaching staff were also removed. The move has attracted criticism from former players and experts across the cricketing world. Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq were among those told to return home. Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed was also replaced, with Mike Hesson set to take charge for the third Test in Birmingham, which begins on September 9.
The controversy has extended beyond the squad changes. Aaqib Javed, the PCB's director of high performance, criticised Imam on live television and questioned the opener’s commitment to the team. Imam suffered a calf strain on the opening day of the Lord’s Test and was subsequently ruled out of the match. The left-handed batter did not take part with the bat in either innings, while his actions on the fourth day further fuelled questions over the seriousness of the injury. Before play began on the fourth day, Imam was seen knocking the ball around despite his injury. The footage prompted further scrutiny, with former England pacer Stuart Broad famously saying it was all “for show.”
Hussain, however, believes the bigger issue lies with how the PCB handled the matter. Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, the former England captain said Pakistan were not initially being mocked following their poor performances, but argued that the PCB's subsequent actions had turned the team into a laughingstock.
“I don't think after Headingley that the world was laughing at Pakistan. My rant at Lord's about them not fighting back, about India vs Pakistan games being very one-sided and that they were a poor side playing poorly wasn't laughing at them,” said Hussain.
“It was out of frustration of seeing where this great cricketing nation is now. What they have done now is make them a laughingstock. They have made it worse,” he added.
Hussain then turned his attention to the treatment of Imam, expressing disbelief that a senior official within Pakistan cricket would publicly criticise one of the team's own players. He argued that regardless of whether Imam was genuinely injured or not, the situation should have been handled internally, with the player receiving proper support and respect.
“I cannot believe how a director of high performance can go on telly, rightly or wrongly, and throw a player under the bus. He is either injured or he is not,” said Hussain.
“For every other touring side, if we ask how a player is doing, they would say, 'he has had a scan and will only bat if needed'. The whole handling of the Iman situation is ridiculous. You have to protect your players a little bit,” he added.
The PCB's decisions have now left Pakistan facing the final Test with a significantly altered squad and coaching structure, after a series that had already come under intense scrutiny following two heavy defeats.
