The Pakistan Cricket crisis has taken a turn for the worst, with the saga now getting murkier as it has emerged that Imam-Ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan are facing an investigation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) over their off-field activities during the ongoing tour of England, which has led to as many as seven players being released, while head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been sacked mid-series.
The seven players who have been sent home include the disgraced duo of Rizwan and Imam. A report by GEO News has revealed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) obtained mobile phone data of both players. The data was transferred before the devices were returned to the players.
The published information claims that the governing bodies are not just investigating the conduct of the players on the tour but also the people they were in contact with. While more details are still awaited on the nature of the misconduct, it has raised serious questions over the factors at play and the chances of Rizwan and Imam playing for Pakistan again.
The reports come on the back of the PCB, issuing a show cause notice to the selectors over Rizwan and Imam’s selection for the series and asking them to explain the reason behind both being picked in the squad
Meanwhile, a report by Pakistani news outlet 365 News has claimed that mobile phones of players have been confiscated by the PCB and will remain with them until the end of the third Test, which will take place from September 9 at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The Babar Azam-led team is 2-0 down in the three-match series
Imam in particular has faced criticism from the cricket fraternity after he did not do both in both innings of the Lord’s Test due to a calf strain, with accusations of him faking injury in the past emerging. Even PCB’s director of high performance, Aaqib Javed, publicly cricicised the player and claimed he should have batted even if the fitness problem was real while giving an example of players batting with cast in the past.
PCB Confirm Investigation
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement confirming an inquiry is taking place, but it did not confirm the subject or if the reports over players’ mobile phones being taken away are true.
“The Pakistan Cricket Board has initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally. The PCB handles such matters in accordance with its standard procedures. The process is being conducted under PCB regulations, ensuring that all concerned individuals are given due consideration.
“At this stage, any speculative reports or unverified claims circulating on certain platforms, particularly those originating from hostile external sources, should not be regarded as credible. The PCB will not comment further at this time. The Board advises stakeholders and the public to rely on official PCB communications,”said Amir Mir, PCB’s Director of Media and Digital Communications in a post on X.