8 hrs ago
Pakistan cricket turmoil deepens after mid-series purge and inquiry
Pakistan’s cricket team lost the first two matches of a three-match series in England.
The losses were very large, including one by 194 runs.
After this, the cricket board made major changes during the tour.
Seven players were sent home, and two coaches were dismissed.
Aaqib Javed said the team needed a better balance, including another fast bowler and an all-rounder.
He also questioned why Imam-ul-Haq could not bat after suffering a calf injury.
The board had said Imam had a calf tear and would need medical advice before playing.
Misbah-ul-Haq resigned after reportedly not being consulted about the changes.
Pakistan will use a reshaped team for the remaining Test.
Pakistan lost its first two Tests in England, including defeats by an innings and 103 runs and 194 runs.
The Pakistan Cricket Board sent home seven players and sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
Aaqib Javed defended the overhaul, citing poor performances, an unbalanced attack, and a lack of competitiveness.
Aaqib called for an inquiry into Imam-ul-Haq’s calf injury after he did not bat in either innings at Lord’s.
Misbah-ul-Haq resigned from the selection committee and as a batting consultant after reportedly not being consulted about the changes.
- Who
- The Pakistan cricket team, the Pakistan Cricket Board, Aaqib Javed, Imam-ul-Haq, seven dropped players, two dismissed coaches, and Misbah-ul-Haq.
- What
- Pakistan overhauled its Test squad, removed two coaches, and ordered an inquiry into Imam-ul-Haq’s injury.
- Where
- During Pakistan’s tour of England, including Tests at Headingley and Lord’s.
- When
- After Pakistan lost the first two Tests, midway through the three-Test tour of England.
- Why
- Aaqib Javed said the team was out of form, poorly balanced, and unable to compete effectively.
Aaqib Javed and overhaul supporters
Critics and alternative explanations
Whether the squad purge was justified
Aaqib Javed and overhaul supporters
Aaqib Javed said Pakistan’s inability to compete required immediate changes, including a better combination, an all-rounder, and the fast bowler Ubaid Shah.
Critics and alternative explanations
The changes were criticized by their abrupt handling: players reportedly learned of their removal through messages and social media, while Misbah-ul-Haq was reportedly not consulted.
Imam-ul-Haq’s injury
Aaqib Javed and overhaul supporters
Aaqib said a pulled muscle should not have prevented Imam from batting in both innings and called for an inquiry, while saying he could not claim Imam had faked the injury.
Critics and alternative explanations
The Pakistan Cricket Board stated that Imam had suffered a calf tear and that his participation would depend on medical advice; Imam also warmed up and took throwdowns on the fourth day.
Responsibility for the poor results
Aaqib Javed and overhaul supporters
Aaqib distinguished between selectors choosing the squad and team management failing to use it properly, citing decisions over Ubaid Shah and wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori.
Critics and alternative explanations
The mid-tour dismissals and selection committee resignation indicate an internal dispute over who was responsible for the team’s selections and performances.
Key facts
- Series position
- Pakistan had lost the first two of three Tests.
- Test results
- Pakistan lost the first Test by an innings and 103 runs and the second by 194 runs.
- Players dropped
- Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, and Awais Zafar.
- Players added
- Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa, Razaullah, Saim Ayub, and Abdullah Fazal.
- Coaches dismissed
- Red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
- Selection changes
- Misbah-ul-Haq resigned from the four-member selection committee and as batting consultant at the National Cricket Academy.
- Injury dispute
- The Pakistan Cricket Board said Imam-ul-Haq suffered a calf tear, while Aaqib Javed said the circumstances required an inquiry.
Quotes
Aaqib Javed
PCB director of high performance and selection committee member
“No batter in our top seven bowls. We should have included an all-rounder, but most importantly, brought in Ubaid Shah, who bowls close to 140 kph. One fast bowler changes the composition of your attack. I understand dropping [Salman] Agha, who's out of form, but you should have played Ghazi Ghori instead of [Mohammad] Rizwan [as the wicketkeeper]. Someone had to take action. The world is laughing at us because we can't even compete. The message we're sending to the recalled players is that you 2”
wionews.com
“The Imam injury is a big question mark and a deep disappointment. Players in the past used to get injuries, but they used to put on casts and still try [to play]. We'll take action against this. How is it possible that a pulled muscle ruled you out of batting in both innings? He should have tried and fought. He'll have to face an inquiry; I can't say he faked it, but a muscle pull like that cannot stop you from batting altogether.”
indianexpress.com
wionews.com
Sources
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