Archive · 7 Sep 2026
PCB Investigates Conduct Reports as Pakistan Tour Faces Phone Claims
The Pakistan Cricket Board is checking reports about player behavior during the team’s tour of England.
Some reports say officials held the phones of Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan for several hours.
Another report said some players’ phones were in the board’s custody but did not name them.
Reports also claimed that information from the phones and the players’ London contacts were examined.
The board has not confirmed exactly what happened with the phones.
It has also not said that the inquiry is about match-fixing.
No player has been publicly accused of cheating or another integrity offence.
The investigation came after Pakistan lost heavily to England at Lord’s.
Pakistan then changed many players and coaches before the final Test at Edgbaston.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed an internal disciplinary inquiry into reported player discipline and conduct concerns.
Reports differed over whether phones belonging to Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan were taken, while another report did not identify the players.
Sources alleged that data from the phones was transferred and contacts in London were examined.
The PCB has not linked the inquiry or reported phone custody to match-fixing, and no player has been publicly accused of an integrity offence.
The inquiry followed Pakistan’s 194-run loss at Lord’s and sweeping squad and coaching changes before the Edgbaston Test.
- Who
- The Pakistan Cricket Board, its media director Amir Mir, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, other Pakistan players and team officials.
- What
- The PCB launched an internal disciplinary inquiry into reported discipline and conduct concerns, alongside reports that some players’ phones were taken into board custody.
- When
- The inquiry followed Pakistan’s 194-run defeat at Lord’s; the final Test is scheduled to begin on September 9.
- Where
- The reported phone and communications issues concern the Pakistan team’s stay in London; the final Test is at Edgbaston.
- Why
- The PCB said the inquiry followed media reports about discipline and conduct. Reports separately raised match-fixing suspicions, but the board has not connected the inquiry to corruption or match-fixing.
Reports and Public Critics
PCB Position
Phone custody and data review
Reports and Public Critics
Reports alleged that phones linked to Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan were taken, that data was transferred and that their London contacts were examined.
PCB Position
The PCB confirmed an inquiry into discipline and conduct but did not publicly confirm the identities of any players whose phones were taken or explain whether phone custody was connected to the inquiry.
Match-fixing suspicions
Reports and Public Critics
Some headlines and reports presented the phone issue amid suspicions that the problems involved more than poor cricket and could relate to match-fixing.
PCB Position
The PCB has not linked the matter to corruption or match-fixing, warned against speculative and unverified claims, and no player has been publicly accused of an integrity offence.
Squad and coaching overhaul
Reports and Public Critics
Critics described the release of seven players and the dismissal of two coaches as evidence of turmoil and poor management, with Misbah-ul-Haq calling for a long-term strategy.
PCB Position
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the changes were made because every match mattered and underperforming players could be replaced, not permanently excluded from selection.
- Investigating body
- Pakistan Cricket Board
- PCB statement
- The board confirmed an internal disciplinary inquiry under its standard procedures and regulations.
- Players named by sources
- Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan were named in one report; another report did not identify the players.
- Reported phone action
- Sources alleged that phones were held for several hours, with data reportedly transferred before the devices were returned; another report said they would remain with the PCB until the final Test.
- Match result
- Pakistan lost to England by 194 runs at Lord’s, giving England an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
- Squad changes
- Seven players were released, seven were added for the Edgbaston Test, and coaches Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were replaced.
- Final Test
- Pakistan is scheduled to face England at Edgbaston from September 9.
Sources
Match Fixing In Pakistan? PCB Launch Investigation, Collect Mobile Data From Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan: Report
Pakistani cricketers’ phones confiscated in England. Suspicion of match-fixing is the reason
