Pakistan crisis deepens after Lord’s defeat: Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq set to return home

Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq Pakistan’s Test crisis has taken another turn with Mohammad Rizwan and opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq likely to be sent home from the ongoing tour of England after heavy defeats.Pakistan were comprehensively beaten in the first two Tests, losing the opener in Leeds by an innings and 103 runs, before suffering a 194-run defeat at Lord’s. The results left them at the bottom of the World Test Championship points table and intensified the scrutiny of the team and its management.“It has been decided to send back Rizwan and the Imam,” Geo News reported citing a source.The traveling Pakistani media in England also reported on a high-level meeting attended by senior officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board following the Lord’s defeat. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed, PSL CEO Salman Naseer, former player and senior selector Aaqib Javed and limited overs head coach Mike Hesson reportedly attended the meeting.

“Imam is in big trouble”

A PCB source told Geo News that Naqvi conveyed the disappointment of senior figures over Pakistan’s performance in England.“The incident involving the interview of Imran Khan’s sons, which was broadcast during the second Test on Sky Sports, has also upset the powers that be, but more than anything else, it is the media’s portrayal of the Pakistan team and their performance that has raised concerns,” the report further quoted the source as saying.The report also claimed that Rizwan and Imam were on their way back home, while suggesting that Abdullah Fazal, who had played two Tests, was sure to be sent to England.“The imam is in big trouble,” the report quoted the source as saying.Imam did not bat in the second Test after sustaining an injury during a fielding start, although the report claimed that there were doubts about the genuineness of the injury.The meeting also reportedly discussed Hesson taking charge of the Test side. He is expected to remain in the squad for the remainder of the England tour, which may raise questions over head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed’s future.The latest development comes as Pakistan continue to struggle badly in Test cricket, especially away from home. Their defeat at Lord’s was their 10th loss in their last 11 away Tests.Pacer Mohammad Abbas, who took nine wickets at Lord’s and registered his first five-wicket haul at the venue, admitted that problems within the side were a big concern.“Our performance is worrying everyone. Everyone is worried, including the selection committee and the NCA. We are not doing well, we accept it. We are not firing, we are not firing or playing well and we are discussing it all the time in the meetings. We are all working on it and we have to be,” Abbas said after the defeat.