Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Pakistan’s Sacked Players Ordered to Attend King Charles Meeting
Pakistan’s cricket team was having a difficult tour in England.
The team had lost two Test matches against England.
Seven players and several coaches had been sent home or dismissed.
Some players who were no longer in the squad were still told to attend a meeting with King Charles III.
Four of them went to Clarence House.
One player reportedly refused because he was unhappy about how he had been treated.
The cricket board wanted enough people at the event so the team would not look too small.
King Charles encouraged the team, and Babar Azam gave him a signed cricket bat.
The Pakistan Cricket Board reportedly ordered players removed from the touring squad to attend a Clarence House meeting with King Charles III.
Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad and Muhammad Awais Zafar attended the event.
A fifth player reportedly refused to go, protesting how he had been treated.
The PCB feared that too few players at the royal engagement would look embarrassing after seven players were sent home.
The meeting followed Pakistan’s Test defeats against England and the dismissal of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and several coaches.
- Who
- The Pakistan Cricket Board, Pakistan’s touring players and officials, King Charles III, and four players sent home: Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad and Muhammad Awais Zafar.
- What
- Players removed from Pakistan’s touring squad were reportedly ordered to attend a meeting with King Charles III; four attended and a fifth refused.
- When
- The meeting took place on Wednesday, shortly after Pakistan’s defeats at Lord’s and Headingley.
- Where
- Clarence House during Pakistan’s cricket tour of the United Kingdom.
- Why
- The PCB was concerned that a low turnout at the high-profile event would appear embarrassing after players and coaches were dismissed.
PCB’s Position
Player’s Objection
Attendance at the royal engagement
PCB’s Position
The PCB reportedly wanted players no longer in the squad to attend because it feared that a small turnout would be embarrassing.
Player’s Objection
One player reportedly refused to attend in protest against the way he had been treated.
Context of the meeting
PCB’s Position
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi described the meeting as positive and cordial, and said King Charles praised Pakistan’s efforts toward peace.
Player’s Objection
The event occurred during a turbulent tour in which players and coaches had been dismissed after two Test defeats.
- Event
- Meeting between Pakistan’s cricket delegation and King Charles III
- Venue
- Clarence House
- Players attending
- Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad and Muhammad Awais Zafar
- Reported refusal
- A fifth player did not attend, reportedly in protest over his treatment
- Squad changes
- Seven players and several coaches were sent home or dismissed
- Pakistan captain
- Babar Azam presented King Charles with a signed cricket bat
- Coaching change
- New Zealander Mike Hesson was brought in to oversee the rest of the series
