PCB demands justification for Rizwan, Imam selections as Misbah quits selection panel

The Pakistan Cricket Board issued a formal request on August 31 for its national selection committee to provide written explanations for adding Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq to the Test squad for the ongoing England series. The directive, addressed to selectors including Aqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq, cites a June 2 meeting where the two batsmen were shortlisted. After Pakistan suffered an innings-and-103-run loss and a 194-run defeat, both players were dropped before the third Test at Edgbaston.

The board also released five other players and introduced seven replacements, while overhauling the coaching staff by appointing Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke. In the midst of these changes, Misbah-ul-Haq informed the PCB of his intention to step down from the selection panel, agreeing to a notice period before leaving. The episode highlights growing turmoil within Pakistan cricket as the board seeks accountability for its selection decisions.