Ahead of the third match at Lord’s, which is set to start on September 9 at Edgbaston, the match-fixing allegations appear to have returned to Pakistani cricket during their current three-match Test series against England. The board decided to replace seven of the team’s current players.
After Pakistan’s crushing 194-run loss in the second Test at Lord’s, the PCB announced several significant roster changes. Salman Ali Agha, Imam-ul-Haq, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar, and Muhammad Rizwan were eliminated. Additionally, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.
In addition, prior to the third Test, Pakistan made the decision to relieve head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul of their responsibilities and appoint white-ball coach Mike Hesson as the interim coach. Since then, seven players have been added to the team, five of whom have not yet made their debut for their country.
The uncapped group consists of wicketkeeper Saad Baig, left-arm bowler Mohammad Imran Junior, pace-bowling all-rounders Razaullah Khan and Mohammad Imran, and left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas. The two players with caps are batsmen Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal.
TOI quotes him saying, “The Pakistan Cricket Board has initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally. The PCB handles such matters in accordance with its standard procedures. The process is being conducted under PCB regulations, ensuring that all concerned individuals are given due consideration.”
The PCB has also seized some players’ cell phones, according to Pakistani publication 365 News. According to reports, the gadgets will be under the board’s control until the third and final test is finished. The PCB has yet to publicly explain the rationale behind the action, and the article did not identify the players whose phones were seized.
