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According to reports, the PCB issued a notice on August 31 to committee members, including Aqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Asad Shafiq. The board has requested a detailed account of the rationale, performance metrics, and selection criteria used during the June 2, 2026, meeting that led to the recommendation of Rizwan and Imam. The committee members were granted a 24-hour window to provide their formal responses to the board.
Turmoil and Personnel Changes in Pakistan Test Setup
The PCB's decision to question the selection process coincides with a disastrous performance in the Test series against England. Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run defeat in the opening match, followed by a 194-run loss at Lord's, which granted England an unassailable 2-0 lead. In the wake of these results, both Rizwan and Imam were released from the squad ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston, scheduled for September 9.
The board has since implemented a sweeping overhaul of the team. Alongside the release of Rizwan and Imam, five other players—Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad—have been dropped. Seven replacements have been drafted into the squad, including Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, as well as Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran, and Razaullah.
Coaching Staff Shake-up and Misbah's Departure
The restructuring extends beyond the playing squad, with significant changes to the coaching staff. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul have been removed from their roles. In their place, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke have been appointed to oversee the remainder of the England tour.
Amidst these developments, the selection committee itself faces uncertainty. Sources indicate that former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has decided to resign from his position. He has reportedly informed the PCB of his intention to step down and has agreed to fulfill a notice period before his departure is finalized. This resignation adds further complexity to the situation as the board continues to seek clarity on the decision-making processes that preceded the current series.
