Imam-ul-haq, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha (Agency Image)
The Pakistan Cricket Boardās decision to send seven players and two coaches home after defeats in the first two Tests against England continues to throw up fresh details, with behavioural concerns reportedly playing a role in the removal of senior players Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha. Pakistan suffered defeats in the opening two matches of the series, prompting the PCB to make a sweeping change ahead of the third and final Test in Edgbaston. Test coach Sarfaraz has already been replaced by Mike Hesson, while the white-ball coach will oversee the team for the final Test.
Rizwanās performances were one of the concerns surrounding the wicketkeeper-batter. He managed just 61 runs across the four innings he played and came under further criticism for his shot selection during the Lordās Test. His reading of the game also attracted scrutiny. Imam, meanwhile, did not bat in either innings at Lordās after suffering a calf strain. His decision not to take the field with the bat sparked questions over his commitment, with his injury becoming a major talking point. Aghaās situation was different. He captained Pakistan in the first Test in Babarās absence but was dropped for the second match before being sent home ahead of the Edgbaston Test. According to news agency PTI, however, the decisions involving Rizwan and Imam were not linked exclusively to their performances. Behavioural issues in the dressing room were also reportedly taken into consideration. The trio of Rizwan, Imam and Agha are now expected to appear before a committee and explain their conduct in connection with certain incidents during Pakistanās tours of the West Indies and England. The other players sent back from England were reportedly removed from the squad following Hessonās recommendation. The interim red-ball head coach wanted to assess several white-ball specialists with whom he had previously worked. āThe rest of the players sent back were done so on the recommendation of interim red-ball head coach Mike Hesson, who wanted to try out some players he had worked with in the white-ball camp,ā a source said.
Aaqib Javed under pressure
The latest developments are also expected to have consequences for Pakistanās selection committee. Senior selector Aaqib Javed could be removed as part of a wider clean-up being planned by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Another major development came earlier this week when selector Misbah-ul-Haq tendered his resignation. It remains unclear whether the PCB has formally accepted it. Misbahās resignation followed the PCB issuing a show-cause notice to the selection committee. The board sought an explanation over the inclusion of Imam and Rizwan in the Test squad for the West Indies and England tours. The PCB has also issued notices to members of its selection and advisory committees, asking them to explain the decision to pick Imam and Rizwan for the England tour and the criteria used to formulate the selection policy.
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The shake-up could lead to a new selection committee being appointed once the England tour concludes. āA new selection committee could be announced after the England tour,ā the source said. Meanwhile, Hesson could remain in charge beyond the England series. The PCB is reportedly keen to appoint him as the permanent head coach, although the move will depend on whether the New Zealander agrees to take up the role. For now, the focus remains on the fallout from the dramatic squad changes. Rizwan, Imam and Salman are expected to face a committee over their alleged behaviour, while Aaqib Javedās position on the selection panel is also under threat as Naqvi looks to overhaul the PCBās cricketing structure.
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