Lahore, September 1, 2026: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought a written explanation from a member of its Selection/Advisory Committee over the recommendation to select Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq for Pakistan’s Test squads for the 2026 tours of the West Indies and England.
According to a notice issued by the PCB on August 31, the committee member attended a selection meeting on June 2, during which responsibility was assigned for considering and selecting players for Pakistan’s Test squads for the two tours.
The notice states that Rizwan and Imam were shortlisted for inclusion in the Test squad on the recommendation of the committee member.
The PCB has now directed the member to explain the basis and rationale for recommending the two senior batters, including the selection criteria applied, their recent performances and other factors considered during the decision-making process.
The board has also asked the committee member to clearly outline the reasons for selecting Rizwan and Imam and explain the process through which their recommendations ultimately contributed to the final squad.
The written explanation has been sought within 24 hours of receipt of the notice, with the PCB describing the matter as “urgent and of utmost importance”.
The development comes amid an intense shake-up of Pakistan’s Test setup following back-to-back heavy defeats against England.
Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat in the opening Test before losing the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs, leaving the visitors 2-0 down in the three-match series.
Following the defeats, the PCB released seven players from the Test squad ahead of the third and final Test in Birmingham. The players sent home included Rizwan and Imam, along with Salman Ali Agha, Awais Zafar, Aamir Jamal, Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad.
Imam’s release also came amid a left calf injury, while Rizwan was among the senior players dropped from the touring squad as part of the sweeping changes.
The board also overhauled the coaching setup, releasing Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul ahead of the final Test. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke have subsequently been brought in to oversee the team in Birmingham.
