Pakistan cricket chaos: PCB seeks answers on Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq picks as Misbah-ul-Haq exits selection panel
Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought clarification from its national selection committee on the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq in the Test squad for the ongoing England series, adding another layer to the confusion surrounding the side.According to a Geo News report, the PCB issued a notice to the selection committee members on August 31, asking them to explain the basis and rationale for recommending Rizwan and Imam to the Test team.The notice, a copy of which was seen by Geo News, directed the committee members, including Aqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq, to submit written explanations detailing the players’ performances, selection criteria and other factors considered during the process. Members were given 24 hours from receiving notification to reply.
PCB Question Selection Process
The notice was said to specifically refer to a selection committee meeting held on 2 June 2026. Minutes of that meeting were tabled on 1 July, with members tasked with considering players for Pakistan’s Test squads to tour the West Indies and England.Rizwan and Imam were subsequently shortlisted on the recommendation of committee members.The PCB’s move comes after Pakistan suffered a disastrous start to the three-match Test series against England. They suffered an innings and 103-run defeat in the opening Test before falling by 194 runs at Lord’s to give England an unassailable 2-0 lead.Both Rizwan and Imam were subsequently dropped from the Test squad ahead of the third match at Edgbaston, which starts on the 9th.
Misbah decided to retire during the overhaul
The PCB’s demand for an explanation comes amid a sweeping overhaul of Pakistan’s Test setup.The day before the announcement came out, the board announced that seven players had been released from the team. Along with Rizwan and Imam, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were also sent.Pakistan brought in seven substitutes, including Test batsmen Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, while Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah were also added.The coaching staff also underwent a fundamental change, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were dismissed from their positions. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke were called in to oversee the team for the remainder of the England tour.This development has also created uncertainty in the selection committee itself. Sources close to Misbah-ul-Haq said he decided to resign from the committee, informed the PCB of his decision and agreed to give himself a notice period before formally resigning.The former Pakistan captain’s announced decision adds another twist to an already chaotic period of Pakistan cricket, with the board now looking for answers from the very selection process that produced the squad that was subsequently overhauled midway through the England series.