Star Pakistan cricketers Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan were sent back home from Pakistan not so much for their form, but more for their behaviour inside the dressing room, according to a report in PTI.
Rizwan’s form left much to be desired across his four innings, with the wicketkeeper-batter managing just 61 runs. He played some poor shots in the Lord’s Test, with his reading of the match also coming under scrutiny.
Imam, meanwhile, didn’t bat in either innings after suffering a calf strain. But his injury sparked plenty of debate, with many questioning his commitment after he couldn’t bat even once.
The decision to send the cricketers back has triggered speculation about the selection policy and team management.
As per the report, sending back
Rizwan, Imam and Salman Ali Agha was part of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s broader plan, with the first two dropped not just for their poor form but also over their behaviour in the dressing room.
“The rest of the players sent back were done so on the recommendation of interim red-ball head coach Mike Hesson, who wanted to try out some players he had worked with in the white-ball camp,” a source said while speaking to PTI.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has issued notices to members of the selection and advisory committees as well, seeking explanations for the selection of Imam and Rizwan for the England tour and the criteria used to formulate the selection policy.
“A new selection committee could be announced after the England tour,” the source said.
As per the report, Rizwan, Imam and Salman will be asked to appear before a committee to explain their behaviour in connection with certain incidents during the West Indies and England tours.
The report further stated that the Pakistan Cricket Board might remove senior selector Aaqib Javed from the selection committee as Mohsin Naqvi plans a wider clean-up.
Earlier this week, another selector, Misbah-ul-Haq, tendered his resignation, although it remains unclear whether the Pakistan Cricket Board has accepted it.
