The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to send wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and opener Imam-ul-Haq back to Pakistan following the team’s 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord’s.
The decision reportedly came after an emergency meeting of the Pakistan team management in London following Sunday’s loss, which handed England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series.
Rizwan featured in both the Leeds and Lord’s Tests but has come under criticism after being dismissed while playing aggressively in both matches.
The middle-order batter has managed just 94 runs in his last four Tests. He scored seven and one at Lord’s, 12 and 41 in Leeds, and 18, 12 and 11 during the recent two-match Test series against the West Indies.
Imam, meanwhile, was part of Pakistan’s playing XI for the Lord’s Test but did not bat in either innings after suffering a left calf tear.
Pakistan is now expected to make major changes to their squad ahead of the third and final Test. As part of the reshuffle, six players have reportedly been called up from Pakistan.
Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas are among those called up, while fast bowlers Razaullah and Imran Junior have also reportedly been included. The remaining players are expected to travel after receiving their visas.
The third Test is scheduled to begin in Birmingham on September 9, with Pakistan looking to avoid a series whitewash following England’s comprehensive victory at Lord’s.
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