The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought a written explanation from the national selection committee over the decision to pick Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq for the Test series against England.
According to a notice issued to the selectors, the committee members have been asked to clarify the reasoning behind recommending both players, including the criteria and considerations that influenced their selection.
The move follows Pakistan’s disappointing performances in the three-Test series, with the national side already trailing 2-0. Pakistan suffered a 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord’s after losing the series opener by an innings and 103 runs. The results have intensified scrutiny on the Babar Azam-led team.
Selection committee members Aqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq have been instructed to provide written details regarding Rizwan and Imam’s performances, the standards applied during the selection process and other relevant factors considered before their inclusion.
The notice also cited a selection committee meeting held on June 2, 2026. The minutes of that meeting, submitted on July 1, recorded discussions regarding the composition of the Test squad for Pakistan’s tours of the West Indies and England. Rizwan and Imam were later shortlisted following recommendations made by the committee.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has decided to step down from the selection committee. He has conveyed his decision to the PCB and will complete the required notice period before formally leaving the position.
The PCB’s demand for explanations is part of a broader set of steps being taken after Pakistan’s poor showing in the series.
On Monday, the board released seven players from the Test squad ahead of the third match in Birmingham. Rizwan and Imam were among those released, along with Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.
The PCB has brought seven players into the squad: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah.
In another major change, the board removed Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from their respective roles ahead of the final Test.
The team will instead be managed by the white-ball coaching staff led by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke.
