Pakistan cricket was thrown into chaos after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made sweeping changes following the team’s defeats in the first two Tests against England, with several players reportedly finding out they had been dropped only through social media posts instead of being informed by the team management.The PCB recalled seven players and replaced two coaches after Pakistan lost the series 2-0 against England.Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also sent home and replaced by white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke for the third and final Test in Birmingham, starting on September 9.Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, injured opener Imam-ul-Haq, captain in the first Test Salman Ali Agha, spinner Ali Usman and pacer Khurram Shahzad — most of whom played in the second Test at Lord’s — were also recalled from the tour. All-rounder Aamir Jamal and batter Awais Zafar returned home without playing a match in England.
Players found out through social media
According to a report published by UK-based newspaper The Telegraph, the way the PCB handled the overhaul left the players shocked.The report said several players were spending their day off in London or were at the team hotel when friends and family started sending them screenshots of the PCB’s announcement on social media.The players had not been informed before the board made the announcement.“Team management had not told them beforehand. To say they were shocked was an understatement,” The Telegraph report said.The report added that the way the decision was handled left “the most bitter of tastes” inside the squad. It also said the international future of several players was suddenly thrown into doubt, with questions being raised over their “character, fitness and decision-making.”
No communication from captain, coach or team management
The report said many players privately contacted friends and family after seeing the announcement, trying to understand what had happened.Several of them reportedly expressed “shock and confusion” because no direct communication had come from the team management, the captain or the coach before the PCB statement was released.One player who featured in the series reportedly felt he was being unfairly made a scapegoat despite believing he had performed well.According to the report, he was in his room at the team hotel in London when messages started arriving. A friend forwarded him the PCB press release, and he had to read it twice because he initially thought it was fake.The report also said players viewed the decision to send them home without informing them personally as degrading.The confusion continued on Tuesday, when former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq resigned from the selection committee after he was not consulted about the seven players who were recalled.
Imam and Rizwan among senior players under scrutiny
The report said Pakistan’s tour of England had already been marked by tension between the players and the PCB before the squad overhaul.Imam-ul-Haq is among the players whose future is under serious doubt after he did not bat in either innings at Lord’s because of a calf injury.The PCB is unhappy with how the injury situation unfolded and believes it reflected poorly on both the player and the team, The Telegraph reported.Mohammad Rizwan is another senior player who was sent home after reportedly coming under scrutiny.
According to the report, the PCB is unhappy with Rizwan’s influence in the dressing room and feels he has become a “disruptive presence.”It also said Rizwan’s shot selection during the Test series frustrated senior members of the team management and officials at the board, who expected better from a player of his experience.
Sarfaraz and Umar Gul removed after poor Test run
The coaching changes came after Sarfaraz Ahmed failed to improve Pakistan’s Test results during his three-month stint as head coach.Babar Azam’s second stint as Test captain also failed to improve the team’s fortunes after Shan Masood was removed from the role in May. Pakistan drew the series in the West Indies 1-1 under Babar but lost both Tests in England.Pakistan have now lost 10 of their last 11 away Tests.Umar Gul was also removed as bowling coach. According to the report, the PCB believed he failed to get the best out of the pace attack, and his explanation that the cold weather affected Pakistan’s bowlers at Leeds did not go down well with senior officials, who felt it lacked accountability.
