Archive · 1 Sep 2026
PCB Seeks Selectors’ Answers Over Rizwan, Imam Selections
The Pakistan Cricket Board wants its selectors to explain two player choices.
The players are Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq.
The selectors have 24 hours to send a written explanation.
Rizwan made only modest scores in England’s first two Tests.
Imam hurt his left calf and did not play at Lord’s after the first day.
Both players were among those questioned or released during major team changes.
Seven players and two coaches were sent away before the third Test.
Misbah-ul-Haq also offered to resign from the selection committee, but the PCB had not accepted his resignation.
The PCB reportedly issued show-cause notices and gave its selection committee 24 hours to explain Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq’s selections.
The committee includes Aaqib Javed, Asad Shafiq, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq.
Rizwan scored 7, 1, 12 and 41 in four innings during England’s first two Tests.
Imam-ul-Haq, later released from the squad, missed the Lord’s Test after a left calf strain suffered at Headingley.
Seven players and two coaches were released or removed before Pakistan’s third Test against England at Edgbaston.
- Who
- The Pakistan Cricket Board, its selection committee, Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq; Misbah-ul-Haq also offered his resignation.
- What
- The PCB sought a written explanation for Rizwan and Imam’s Test-squad selections while making major changes to Pakistan’s touring squad and coaching staff.
- When
- The committee was given 24 hours to respond; the notices were reported on September 1, ahead of the third Test.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Pakistan’s tours of the West Indies and England, with the squad changes made ahead of the Test at Edgbaston in England.
- Why
- The PCB requested the selection criteria, performance considerations and other factors behind the two selections after Pakistan’s defeats and squad shake-up.
PCB’s scrutiny
Selectors’ possible rationale
Rizwan’s selection
PCB’s scrutiny
The PCB sought an explanation after Rizwan’s modest returns in England and Pakistan’s defeats in the first two Tests.
Selectors’ possible rationale
The article reports that Rizwan had been Pakistan’s leading Test run-scorer and had the team’s highest batting average from the start of 2024 until the West Indies tour.
Imam’s selection
PCB’s scrutiny
The PCB questioned Imam’s inclusion after his limited recent Test appearances and his subsequent calf injury, which kept him out of the Lord’s Test.
Selectors’ possible rationale
Imam had been among the leading run-scorers in domestic cricket, a factor reportedly considered in his selection; the selectors’ formal response was not provided.
- Response deadline
- The selection committee was given 24 hours to submit a written explanation.
- Players questioned
- Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq.
- Selection committee
- Aaqib Javed, Asad Shafiq, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq.
- Rizwan’s scores
- 7, 1, 12 and 41 across four innings in England’s first two Tests.
- Imam’s injury
- A left calf strain suffered during the series opener at Headingley; he did not play a role at Lord’s after tea on day one.
- Squad departures
- Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were released.
- Coaching changes
- Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul were removed ahead of the third Test; Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke joined the Test coaching staff.
- Committee resignation
- Misbah-ul-Haq offered to resign from the selection committee, but the PCB had not accepted it.
