Pakistan sent Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq back from England due to their behaviour issues: Report
Pakistan Sent Rizwan and Imam Home Over Conduct
Bharatmorning.com – Pakistan sent Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq back from England not because of their batting alone, but because of how they carried themselves inside the squad. The Pakistan Cricket Board's decision to repatriate seven players and two coaching staff after consecutive Test defeats against England took on a sharper edge when PTI reporting confirmed that dressing-room conduct was a decisive factor in the recall, reframing what had initially been presented as a straightforward post-defeat reshuffle.
What Triggered the Recall
Rizwan managed just 61 runs across four innings at Lord's and Edgbaston, with several early shots in the opening Test drawing sharp criticism from commentators and fans. Yet the PTI account made clear that statistics were only one input. The right-hander's behaviour across the West Indies and England tour window was weighed alongside his output, and the board concluded the combination warranted removal from the squad.
The second recalled batter's case carried an extra dimension. A calf strain kept him out of both innings at Lord's, but the absence of even a single appearance intensified questions about preparation and commitment. The board's written assessment, per the agency report, treated his conduct over the broader two-tour cycle as a factor warranting formal review.
Salman Ali Agha, who had captained the side in the opening Test during Babar Azam's absence, was dropped before the second match and included in the same repatriation list. All three men are now required to appear before a PCB committee to account for specific incidents during the tour window.
Hesson's White-Ball Trial and the Selection Fallout
The remaining players sent home were not part of the conduct-driven purge. Interim red-ball coach Mike Hesson, installed after the first Test defeat, requested additional recalls so he could trial white-ball specialists ahead of the final Test at Edgbaston. A source close to the board explained the rationale plainly:
"The rest of the players sent back were done so on the recommendation of interim red-ball head coach Mike Hesson, who wanted to try out some players he had worked with in the white-ball camp."
The behavioural revelations have intensified scrutiny of the selection apparatus. The PCB issued a show-cause notice to the selection committee, demanding written justification for including both recalled batters in the Test squads for the Caribbean and English legs. Senior selector Aaqib Javed is reportedly on the verge of removal as chairman Mohsin Naqvi pursues what insiders call a broader institutional reset. Misbah-ul-Haq's resignation, tendered earlier in the week, compounds the uncertainty; whether the board has formally accepted his departure remains unconfirmed, leaving the selection panel thinner at precisely the moment Pakistan's cricket structure faces its most intense scrutiny since the post-2021 reforms.
Looking ahead, the PCB is reportedly inclined to convert Hesson's interim role into a permanent head-coach appointment. The sticking point is simple: Hesson must agree to the long-term commitment. A source quoted by PTI laid out the contingency:
"If he doesn't agree, then the board will appoint someone else before the next home series against Sri Lanka in November."
That November window will serve as the first major competitive test of whatever coaching and selection structure emerges from the current upheaval. Pakistan's Test record over recent cycles has been inconsistent, and the board's willingness to act swiftly — even if unevenly — signals an institutional desire to reset norms before home-series pressure amplifies public frustration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq recalled from the England tour? PTI reporting confirmed