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The board has reportedly taken custody of players' mobile devices, which are expected to remain with officials until the conclusion of the final Test. While the PCB has not publicly detailed the specific reasons for the confiscation, Director of Media and Digital Communications Amir Mir confirmed that an internal process is underway to address matters of discipline in accordance with board regulations.
Squad Shake-up and Disciplinary Scrutiny
The scale of the team changes has been extensive, with Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Imam-ul-Haq, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Aamir Jamal, and Muhammad Awais Zafar all dropped from the squad. Additionally, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been released. Seven new players have been drafted in to replace them, including five uncapped prospects: Razaullah Khan, Mohammad Imran, Arafat Minhas, Saad Baig, and Mohammad Imran Junior, alongside recalled batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi defended the decision to replace the players, stating that the board had no choice but to seek alternatives when performance levels dropped. He emphasized that the changes were intended to maintain competitiveness throughout the series rather than permanently excluding the players from future contention.
Questions Over Player Fitness and Conduct
Beyond the disciplinary inquiry, the board has expressed frustration regarding the fitness of opening batter Imam-ul-Haq, who was sidelined during the Lord's Test with a calf injury. Aaqib Javed, the PCB’s Director of High Performance, publicly questioned the severity of the injury, noting that the player did not bat in either innings. Javed indicated that the board intends to hold an inquiry into the matter, suggesting that the injury should not have prevented the batter from participating.
The current situation has drawn inevitable comparisons to the 2010 spot-fixing scandal at Lord's, which resulted in bans and prison sentences for former captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif, and Mohammad Amir. The PCB has stated that it is currently reviewing the situation and will ensure all involved individuals are given due consideration as the inquiry proceeds.
