The Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to cut seven players and two coaches after England comfortably won the second Test has faced another twist. As per the latest PTI reports, senior batsman Mohammad Rizwan, opener Imam-ul-Haq and former captain Salman Ali Agha were also dropped due to disciplinary issues, besides their poor performances.
Pakistan turned over a new leaf ahead of the third and final Test at Edgbaston after having lost the opening two matches. Mike Hesson, who took over as interim red-ball coach from Jason Gillespie, will lead the team for the final Test while the white-ball coaching set-up will also be involved.
Rizwan, Imam and Agha face questions over conduct by PCB
Rizwan had a disappointing England tour where he scored only 61 runs in the four innings he batted. He faced criticism for his shot selection during the Lord's Test as Pakistan were bowled out inside the first hour.
Imam's tour also came to an early end after he suffered a calf injury at Lord's and failed to bat in either innings. His lack of commitment at times was questioned after he chose not to take the field with the bat despite being in the squad.
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Agha's England campaign was also ended prematurely after he stood in for the injured Babar Azam for the first Test, was dropped for the second match and then sent home before the end of the tour.
PTI reports claim the decisions to drop Rizwan and Imam, however, were not solely down to their performances.
Behaviors in the dressing room were reportedly a factor in the PCB's decisions to remove the trio from the squad.
Rizwan, Imam and Agha are set to appear before a committee and answer questions about their behaviors during Pakistan's recent tours of the West Indies and England.
Hesson Pushes for Fresh Faces
The other players sent back from England were reportedly dropped on the advice of interim red-ball coach Mike Hesson. The New Zealander is keen to blood players from Pakistan's white-ball set-up with whom he has worked.
“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,” a source told PTI.
The latest drama has also seen doubts cast over the future of senior selector Aaqib Javed. With Pakistan suffering a run of poor Test series, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is said to be looking at a shake-up of the national team set-up.
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has also stepped down as a selector, with reports suggesting the PCB has yet to accept his resignation.
Advisory and selection committee members for the PCB have also been asked to explain their processes and choices surrounding the selection of Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan for the England tour.
With the PCB set to review Pakistan's on-field performances and off-field behaviours, more changes may well be made to the Test set-up as the board looks to rebuild the side after a disappointing campaign in England.