New Delhi: Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Tuesday broke his silence on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)’s decision to overhaul the squad by sending seven players back home midway through the team’s ongoing tour of England.
PCB sent home seven players after suffered their second consecutive defeat in the 2nd Test against England at Lord’s to concede the three-match series.
Senior batters Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha were among the seven players asked to return to Pakistan after the team’s defeat at Lord’s. PCB also dismissed Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul, sparking criticism from all corners.
Speaking at the pre-match presser ahead of the third Test against England at Edgbaston, starting on Wednesday, Babar denied any involvement in the decision to drop seven players from the squad. The Pakistan captain said that PCB’s decision was news to him and that he found out only after it had happened.
“It was news to me too. I found out about it later as well. It was the PCB’s decision, so they’ll explain you better,” Babar said in the pre-match presser.
Babar insisted the squad overhaul has not made the situation more difficult for Pakistan, however, he admitted that the PCB’s decision came as a surprise to him. The onus will be on Babar as a new-look Pakistan look to avoid a third successive defeat against England in the third Test at Edgbaston.
PCB launches internal inquiry
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday confirmed that it has launched an internal investigation into the disciplinary conduct of Pakistan players on their current tour of England amid speculative reports in Pakistani media. Several reports have claimed that Pakistan players were involved in disciplinary breaches during the tour.
PCB are also investigating the claims that Imam faked his calf injury during the Lord’s Test against England to avoid batting in the match. As per some reports, the PCB has also confiscated the phones of Pakistan players for investigation. Babar said he had no idea when asked what the investigation was about and denied any involvement in the decision-making process.