New details have emerged about the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision after Pakistan’s defeat in the first two Tests against England. Indian news agency PTI reports that behavioral issues, alongside performance, were factored into the decision to send seven cricketers and two coaches home.
Among the seven cricketers dropped after the Lord’s Test were experienced players such as Salman Agha, Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan. None of them were in good form. Rizwan managed just 61 runs in four innings in the series. His shot selection in the Lord’s Test also drew criticism.
Imam did not bat in the Lord’s Test due to injury. The PCB reportedly has doubts about that injury as well. Salman had failed in his last five Test innings. Yet this same Salman had captained the side in place of Babar Azam in the Headingley Test. He was not in the playing eleven at Lord’s, and was subsequently dropped from the squad altogether.
According to PTI, performance was not the only factor considered in Rizwan and Imam’s cases. Their conduct in the dressing room reportedly also weighed heavily in the decision.
The two cricketers may even be required to explain their conduct before a disciplinary committee. PTI reported that Salman, along with Rizwan and Imam, may also have to appear before the committee. Behavioral issues involving them reportedly surfaced during both the West Indies and England tours.
Decisions regarding the other players sent home from England were made on the recommendation of interim Test coach Mike Hesson. He wanted to assess several players he had previously worked with in the white-ball setup.
A board source told PTI, “The rest of the players who were sent back were sent on the recommendation of interim Test coach Mike Hesson. He wanted to give a chance to some players he had worked with in the white-ball camp.” Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Junior, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Rajaullah, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have joined the Pakistan squad for the third Test.
Meanwhile, the shake-up could also affect Pakistan’s selection committee. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is planning a major overhaul, in the course of which chief selector Aqib Javed could also be removed.
Another major change has already taken place. Selector Misbah-ul-Haq submitted his resignation earlier this week, though it remains unclear whether the PCB has formally accepted it.
Before Misbah’s resignation, the PCB had issued a show-cause notice to the selection committee, seeking an explanation for retaining Imam and Rizwan in the Test squad for the West Indies and England tours.
The PCB has issued notices not just to the selection committee but also to members of the selection and advisory committee, asking them to explain why Imam and Rizwan were included in the squad for the England tour, and what criteria were used in team selection.
A new selection committee could be formed once the England tour concludes. A source said, “A new selection committee may be announced after the England tour.”
Hesson, meanwhile, could continue in his role even after the England series. The PCB is keen to make him permanent head coach, though the final decision will depend on whether the New Zealander is willing to take on the role.