PCB Drops Rizwan and Imam‑Ul‑Haq Over Conduct Concerns

Nearly a week after the Pakistan Cricket Board ordered seven players and two coaches to return home following consecutive Test defeats to England, further details about the incident continue to surface. Senior players Mohammad Rizwan, Imam‑ul‑Haq and Salman Ali Agha were among those sent back, with the circumstances surrounding their departures proving more complex than a simple change in direction.

According to The Hindustan Times, the decisions to drop Rizwan and Imam were not based on form alone. Conduct within the dressing room was also a factor, and all three players—Rizwan, Imam and Agha—have been asked to appear before a committee to explain specific incidents that occurred during the West Indies and England tours.

Test coach Sarfaraz has been replaced by Mike Hesson, who will take charge for the third and final Test at Edgbaston. Hesson, who previously served as the white‑ball coach, has been incorporating specialists from that setup into the squad for the decisive match.

On‑field concerns regarding Rizwan and Imam

Rizwan’s batting offered little resistance throughout the series. He managed just 61 runs from four innings, and his shot selection at Lord’s drew widespread criticism, with his overall reading of match situations attracting sharp scrutiny.

Imam’s situation added further complexity. He did not face a single delivery in either innings of the Lord’s Test after reporting a calf strain. His absence from the crease throughout the match raised questions about his commitment, which appears to have influenced the PCB’s decision to send him home.

Agha had captained Pakistan in the first Test in Babar Azam’s absence but was dropped for the second match before being included in the group sent back ahead of the Edgbaston fixture.

Selectors and coaching setup under scrutiny

The fallout has also reached the selection committee. The PCB issued a show‑cause notice to the selectors, demanding an explanation for why Rizwan and Imam had been selected for both the West Indies and England tours. The notice prompted selector Misbah‑ul‑Haq to submit his resignation, although it remains unclear whether the PCB has formally accepted it.

Senior selector Aaqib Javed is also expected to be removed from the panel as PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi pursues a broader overhaul of the cricket structure. On the coaching front, the PCB is keen to retain Hesson permanently, though the arrangement will only be finalised if Hesson is willing to commit to a long‑term role.

“The 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,” the report noted.

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