The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued show-cause notices to its selection committee over the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq in the Test squad. According to reports, the board asked the selectors to explain their decisions within 24 hours after Pakistan’s poor results on the England tour.
Pakistan’s struggles have increased pressure on the selection committee. The team lost the first Test by an innings and 103 runs before suffering a 194-run defeat at Lord’s. They are at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings. The PCB also changed the coaching staff ahead of the third Test.
PCB Demands Written Explanation from Selectors
According to Cricbuzz, the PCB has issued show-cause notices to the selection committee over the inclusion of Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan for Pakistan’s England and West Indies tours. The selectors have been given 24 hours to respond.
“As advised by competent authority, you are hereby requested to provide an explanation regarding the basis and rationale for the selection of the two players, including relevant selection criteria, performance considerations and any other factors taken into account during the selection process," Cricbuzz quoted the show-cause notice as reading.
Rizwan managed only 61 runs across four innings, while Imam suffered a calf injury at Lord’s. Imam’s injury became another controversy after former England pacer Stuart Broad questioned whether the opener was genuinely injured. The PCB subsequently opened an investigation into the matter.
Misbah-ul-Haq Resigns After Major Squad Changes
The PCB made changes to Pakistan’s Test squad. Seven players were recalled from England following the team’s 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord’s.
Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were all asked to return to Pakistan. The board then made several additions ahead of the final Test.
Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal joined the squad, while Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah were added as uncapped options.
The PCB also removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from their positions. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson was brought in to oversee the Test team for the final match against England.
Misbah-ul-Haq reportedly resigned from the selection committee after the PCB made the changes without consulting him. His resignation was reportedly sent by email, although Cricbuzz reported that it had not yet been formally accepted.
PCB Questions Selectors’ Selection Decisions
The PCB’s decision to seek an explanation over the selection of two individual players is unusual in cricket administration. Former internationals Aaqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq are among the current members of the selection panel.
Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the opening two Tests against England. Pakistan failed to score 200 in any of their four completed innings during the first two Tests. The poor results prompted the PCB to make major changes to the squad and coaching staff midway through the series.
The third and final Test will begin at Edgbaston in Birmingham on September 9. Pakistan have already lost the series 2-0 and will now try to avoid a clean sweep.
