Pakistan to send Imam-ul-Haq Mohammad Rizwan home from disastrous tour of England

Pakistan are likely to send wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan and opening batsman Imam Ul Haq back home from their tour of England, where the team suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests so far. Pakistan finished bottom of the points table in the Test World Cup, losing the opening Test to England by an innings and 103 runs in Leeds and second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs.

“It was decided to send back Rizwan and the Imam,” Geo News reported.

The traveling Pakistani media in England also reported on a high-level meeting of Pakistan Cricket Board officials following their defeat in the second Test.

The meeting was attended by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, COO Sumair Ahmed, PSL CEO Salman Naseer, former player and senior selector Aaqib Javed and head limited overs cricket coach Mike Hesson.

A reliable source within the PCB said that Naqvi, who is also a minister in the Pakistan government, had expressed his disappointment with the way the Pakistan team fared in England.

“The incident involving the interview of Imran Khan’s sons, which was broadcast during the second Test on Sky Sports, also upset the powers that be, but more than anything else, the media portrayal of the Pakistan team and their performance was a source of concern,” the source said.

The source claimed that Rizwan and Imam are on their way back home.

“Imam is in big trouble,” he said, adding that 23-year-old Abdullah Fazal, who has played two Tests, will definitely be sent to England.

Imam did not bat in the second Test after sustaining an injury in the field on the first day, but there are doubts over the genuineness of his injury.

A source said Hesson had taken over the leadership of the test team The meeting also discussed and he would now remain with the Pakistan side for the remainder of the England tour.

Hesson’s presence puts a big question mark over head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed’s future.

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Published on:

31 Aug 2026 18:39 IST