The Pakistan Cricket Board has launched a formal disciplinary investigation into player conduct as their turbulent Test series against England spirals further out of control.
Seven players have already been sent home, with head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed replaced by New Zealander Mike Hesson ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston.
Pakistan currently trail 2-0 and must navigate this crisis to avoid a series sweep.
The PCB initiated an inquiry concerning “discipline and conduct”, which saw two players surrender their mobile phones to security officials following the 194-run defeat at Lord’s.
This upheaval follows a separate incident where nine squad members were fined during a recent warm-up match in the Caribbean.
The sweeping mid-tour dismissals have escalated a highly dysfunctional environment.
Aaqib Javed publicly condemned Imam-ul-Haq after the opener failed to bat in either innings at Lord’s due to a calf injury, stating: “He’ll have to face an inquiry; I can’t say he faked it, but a muscle pull like that cannot stop you from batting altogether.”
Background Noise Dominates Camp
New bowling coach Ashley Noffke and Hesson now face an immense managerial challenge to prepare a demoralised squad.
The Australian acknowledged the constant distractions surrounding the team.
“I guess that’s one thing I’ve learned about being in Pakistan and coaching for a period of time, – nearly 15 months with the white-ball team – there’s always something going on in the background,” Noffke said.
The administrative chaos threatens to overshadow any future overseas bilateral fixtures as Pakistan scramble to regroup for Wednesday.
