More drama in Pakistan cricket: Mohsin Naqvi’s PCB likely to remove chief selector Aaqib Javed in ‘clean-up’ exercise

Aaqib Javed, Mohsin Naqvi The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to recall former Test cricketer and chief selector Aaqib Javed from the national selection panel as part of a wider “clean-up” exercise underway within the board, news agency PTI reported.The development comes days after senior players Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha were sent home from England. The decision raised questions about Pakistan’s selection policy and team management.“Aqib is also likely to be told to focus on his role as director of development at the Lahore High Performance Centre,” a source quoted by PTI said.According to a source quoted by PTI, the decision to send back Rizwan, Imam and Salman was part of the PCB’s larger plan. He claimed that Rizwan and Imam were dropped not only because of their form but also because of their behavior in the dressing room.“The rest of the players who were sent back did so on the recommendation of interim Red-ball head coach Mike Hesson, who wanted to try out some of the players he had worked with at the white-ball camp,” the source further said, according to PTI.He added that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is keen on “cleaning up” and that the selection committee could be the next area to see changes.“Aaqib, who is seen as the chairman’s blue-eyed boy, is also likely to be told to focus only on his role as director of development at the Lahore High Performance Centre,” he said.Another member of the selection committee, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, has already offered to resign.The PCB also issued a notice to the selection committee and advisory committee members asking them to explain the selection of Imam and Rizwan for the England tour and the criteria used to formulate the selection policy.Aaqib was one of the influential figures within the PCB and played a significant role in selection and other team related matters.Pakistan suffered an innings and 103-run loss in the series opener at Headingley before losing by 194 runs at Lord’s on Sunday as England took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.The Pakistan Cricket Board responded to these defeats in dramatic fashion, taking the extraordinary step of sending home seven players, recalling seven others and replacing sacked Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed Hesson, already Pakistan’s white-ball boss.Senior players Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, who was captaining Pakistan at Headingley when Babar Azam was injured, were among those told to leave.