Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan Sent Home from England Tour Over Discipline Concerns

On a gray morning in London, two of Pakistan’s most recognizable faces – wicket‑keeper Mohammad Rizwan and opener Imam‑ul‑Haq – were told to pack their bags and fly back home. The decision, reported by PTI and echoed by the PCB, was not just about a slump in runs; it boiled down to behaviour that allegedly disrupted the dressing‑room atmosphere.

Rizwan, who managed a meagre 61 runs across four innings, was under fire for playing what many described as reckless shots at Lord’s. Critics pointed out that his reading of the conditions seemed off, and his confidence appeared to be waning. While form was certainly a factor, sources say the board’s patience ran out after a series of heated exchanges with teammates.

Imam‑ul‑Haq’s case was a little different. A calf‑strain injury kept him out of both innings in the Test, and the silence on the field sparked a chorus of doubt: was he genuinely injured, or was he simply not willing to push through? The debate grew louder when he did not even step onto the crease, prompting the PCB to question his commitment.

Interim red‑ball head coach Mike Hesson, who was brought in to shake things up, reportedly recommended that both players be sent back, along with all‑rounder Salman Ali Agha. Hesson wanted a chance to experiment with youngsters he’d worked with in the limited‑overs camp, and the senior pair’s exit opened a small window for that.

In the aftermath, the PCB issued formal notices to members of its selection and advisory committees, demanding an explanation for why Rizwan and Imam‑ul‑Haq were picked in the first place and what criteria guided those choices. Rumours swirl that a new selection panel could be announced after the England series concludes.

Adding to the turmoil, senior selector Aaqib Javed may be on his way out as part of a wider ‘clean‑up’ promised by PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi. Earlier this week, former captain‑turned‑selector Misbah‑ul‑Haq tendered his resignation, though it’s still unclear whether the board has formally accepted it.

All three players – Rizwan, Imam‑ul‑Haq and Salman Ali Agha – have been asked to appear before a disciplinary committee to account for their conduct on the West Indies and England tours. The episode has reignited a long‑standing debate about the balance between talent, temperament and team harmony in Pakistan cricket.