“Behaviour problems” behind Mohammed Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq’s ax? Fresh details emerge from the shock movement of the PCB

Imam-ul-haq, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha (Image Agency) The Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to send home seven players and two coaches after defeats in the first two Tests against England continues to emerge, with conduct 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 major change ahead of the third and final Test at Edgbaston. Test coach Sarfaraz has already been replaced by Mike Hesson, while the white-ball coach will oversee the team for the final Test.Rizwan’s performances have been one of the concerns for the batsmen. He managed just 61 runs in the four innings he played and came under further criticism for his stroke selection during the Lord’s Test. His reading of the game was also eye-catching.Imam, meanwhile, did not bat in a single innings at Lord’s after suffering a calf strain. His decision not to take the field with the bat raised questions about his commitment and his injury became a major topic of discussion.Agha’s situation was different. He captained Pakistan in the first Test in Babar’s absence, but was dropped for the second match before being sent home ahead of the Edgbaston Test.However, according to news agency PTI, the decisions regarding Rizwan and the imam were not exclusively related to their performances. Problems with locker room behavior were also reportedly taken into consideration.The trio of Rizwan, Imam and Agha are now expected to appear before the committee and explain their conduct in relation to certain incidents during Pakistan’s tours of the West Indies and England.The other players sent back from England were reportedly removed from the squad on Hesson’s recommendation. The interim red ball head coach wanted to assess some of the white ball specialists he had previously worked with.“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 said.

Aaqib Javed under pressure

The latest development is expected to have implications for Pakistan’s selection committee as well. Senior selector Aaqib Javed could be removed as part of a wider purge planned by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.Another major development came earlier this week when voter Misbah-ul-Haq tendered his resignation. It remains unclear whether the PCB has formally accepted it.Misbah’s resignation followed the PCB issuing a show cause notice to the selection committee. The board sought clarification on the inclusion of Imam and Rizwan in the Test squad for the tour of West Indies and England.The PCB also issued a notice to members of its selection and advisory committees asking them to explain the decision to select Imam and Rizwan for the England tour and the criteria used to formulate the selection policy.The shake-up could lead to the appointment of a new selection committee once the England tour is over.“A new selection committee could be announced after the England tour,” the source said.Meanwhile, Hesson could remain in charge beyond the England series. The PCB reportedly wants to appoint him as the permanent head coach, although the move will depend on the New Zealander agreeing to take over the role.For now, we’re focusing on the ramifications of the dramatic changes in the squad. Rizwan, Imam and Salman are expected to face the committee for their alleged conduct, while Aaqib Javed’s position on the selection committee is also under threat as Naqvi looks to overhaul the PCB’s cricket structure.

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