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PCB demands answers on Rizwan, Imam selections as Misbah reportedly resigns
The Pakistan Cricket Board has sought written explanations from its selection committee over the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq in the Test squad, following heavy defeats to England. Meanwhile, Misbah-ul-Haq has reportedly resigned from the panel.
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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has demanded written explanations from its national selection committee over the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq in the Test squad for the ongoing tour of England, as the fallout from Pakistan's heavy defeats continues. The board issued a notice to committee members on August 31, giving them 24 hours to respond, according to a report by Geo News. The notice, a copy of which was seen by the news outlet, directed members including Aqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq to explain the basis and rationale behind recommending the two players.
The notice specifically referred to a selection committee meeting held on June 2, 2026, with minutes submitted on July 1, during which members were tasked with considering players for Pakistan's Test squads for tours of the West Indies and England, according to The Times of India. Rizwan and Imam were subsequently shortlisted on the committee's recommendations.
Poor results on the field
The PCB's demand for answers comes after Pakistan's poor run in the Test series against England. The team lost the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs before going down by 194 runs at Lord's, giving England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Pakistan find themselves at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings.
Rizwan managed only 61 runs across four innings in the series, while Imam suffered a calf injury at Lord's. Imam's injury led to further controversy when former England paceman Stuart Broad questioned whether the opener was genuinely injured, prompting the PCB to open an investigation into the matter.
Squad and coaching overhaul
Ahead of the third Test, the PCB released seven players from the squad: Rizwan, Imam, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad. Test-capped batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal were brought in as replacements, while Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah were also added to the squad.
The board also made changes to the coaching staff, removing head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from their positions. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke have been brought in to oversee the side for the remainder of the England tour.
Misbah's reported resignation
Sources close to Misbah-ul-Haq said he has decided to resign from the selection committee, informing the PCB of his decision and agreeing to serve a notice period before formally stepping down. The former Pakistan captain's reported decision adds another twist to an already chaotic period for Pakistan cricket, with the board now seeking answers from the very selection process that produced a squad it has subsequently overhauled midway through the England series. The third and final Test begins at Edgbaston in Birmingham on September 9.
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Framing: The headline emphasizes the PCB giving a 24-hour ultimatum to the selectors regarding the selection of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq. — The tone is factual and reportorial, describing events without overt emotional language, but with a focus on institutional actions and reactions.
Facts Included:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued show-cause notices to its selection committee over the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq in the Test squad.
The board asked the selectors to explain their decisions within 24 hours after Pakistan’s poor results on the England tour.
The team lost the first Test by an innings and 103 runs before suffering a 194-run defeat at Lord’s.
They are at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings.
The PCB also changed the coaching staff ahead of the third Test.
According to Cricbuzz, the PCB has issued show-cause notices to the selection committee over the inclusion of Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan for Pakistan’s England and West Indies tours.
The selectors have been given 24 hours to respond.
The show-cause notice read: "As advised by competent authority, you are hereby requested to provide an explanation regarding the basis and rationale for the selection of the two players, including relevant selection criteria, performance considerations and any other factors taken into account during the selection process".
Rizwan managed only 61 runs across four innings, while Imam suffered a calf injury at Lord’s.
Imam’s injury became another controversy after former England pacer Stuart Broad questioned whether the opener was genuinely injured.
The PCB subsequently opened an investigation into the matter.
Seven players were recalled from England following the team’s 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord’s: Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.
Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal joined the squad, while Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah were added as uncapped options.
The PCB removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from their positions.
White-ball head coach Mike Hesson was brought in to oversee the Test team for the final match against England.
Misbah-ul-Haq reportedly resigned from the selection committee after the PCB made the changes without consulting him.
His resignation was reportedly sent by email, although Cricbuzz reported that it had not yet been formally accepted.
Former internationals Aaqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq are among the current members of the selection panel.
Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the opening two Tests against England.
Pakistan failed to score 200 in any of their four completed innings during the first two Tests.
The third and final Test will begin at Edgbaston in Birmingham on September 9.
Pakistan have already lost the series 2-0 and will now try to avoid a clean sweep.
Framing: The headline emphasizes chaos in Pakistan cricket and the PCB's action of seeking answers over particular player picks, alongside Misbah-ul-Haq's resignation from the selection committee. — chaotic and concerned
Facts Included:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought an explanation from its national selection committee over the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq in the Test squad for the ongoing England series.
According to a report by Geo News, the PCB issued a notice to members of the selection committee on August 31, asking them to explain the basis and rationale behind recommending Rizwan and Imam for the Test squad.
The notice directed committee members including Aqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq to submit written explanations detailing the players’ performances, selection criteria and other factors considered.
The members have been given 24 hours from receipt of the notice to respond.
The notice reportedly referred specifically to a selection committee meeting held on June 2, 2026.
The minutes of that meeting were submitted on July 1, with members tasked with considering players for Pakistan’s Test squads for the tours of the West Indies and England.
Rizwan and Imam were subsequently shortlisted on the committee members’ recommendations.
Pakistan endured an innings-and-103-run defeat in the opening Test before going down by 194 runs at Lord’s, handing England an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Both Rizwan and Imam were subsequently released from the Test squad ahead of the third match at Edgbaston, beginning September 9.
A day before the notice emerged, the board announced that seven players had been released from the squad.
Alongside Rizwan and Imam, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were also sent out.
Pakistan have brought in seven replacements, including Test-capped batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, while Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah have also been added.
The coaching staff has undergone a major change as well, with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul removed from their positions.
White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke have been brought in to oversee the side for the remainder of the England tour.
Sources close to Misbah-ul-Haq said he has decided to resign from the committee, informing the PCB of his decision and agreeing to serve a notice period before formally stepping down.
The former Pakistan captain’s reported decision adds another twist to an already chaotic period for Pakistan cricket, with the board now seeking answers from the very selection process that produced a squad it has subsequently overhauled midway through the England series.
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought an explanation from its national selection committee over the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq in the Test squad for the ongoing England series.
ClaimThe PCB issued a notice to members of the selection committee on August 31, asking them to explain the basis and rationale behind recommending Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq for the Test squad.
ClaimThe notice from the PCB directed committee members including Aqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq to submit written explanations detailing the players’ performances, selection criteria and other factors considered.
ClaimThe minutes of the selection committee meeting held on June 2, 2026 were submitted on July 1, with members tasked with considering players for Pakistan’s Test squads for the tours of the West Indies and England.
ClaimAlongside Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were also sent out from the Test squad.
ClaimPakistan have brought in seven replacements, including Test-capped batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, while Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah have also been added.
ClaimWhite-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke have been brought in to oversee the Pakistan side for the remainder of the England tour.
ClaimSources close to Misbah-ul-Haq said he has decided to resign from the selection committee, informing the PCB of his decision and agreeing to serve a notice period before formally stepping down.
ClaimThe Pakistan Cricket Board has issued show-cause notices to its selection committee over the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq in the Test squad.
ClaimAccording to Cricbuzz, the PCB has issued show-cause notices to the selection committee over the inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq for Pakistan’s England and West Indies tours.
ClaimThe show-cause notice read: 'As advised by competent authority, you are hereby requested to provide an explanation regarding the basis and rationale for the selection of the two players, including relevant selection criteria, performance considerations and any other factors taken into account during the selection process'.