The Pakistan Cricket Board has launched an investigation into “media reports concerning discipline and conduct” amid the team’s crisis tour of England.
Pakistan last week took the unprecedented step of sending seven players home and calling up seven after losing heavily at Headingley and Lord’s to fall 2-0 down in the three-match series.
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul have also been replaced, with Mike Hesson, in charge of Pakistan’s white-ball sides, and former Australia seamer Ashley Noffke overseeing the third Test at Edgbaston, which begins on Wednesday.
A statement read: “The Pakistan Cricket Board has initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally.
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“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.
“At this stage, any speculative reports or unverified claims circulating on certain platforms, particularly those originating from hostile external sources, should not be regarded as credible.”
The banished senior players included Salman Ali Agha – who captained Pakistan in the first Test before being dropped for the second – wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, who did not bat in either innings after suffering a low-grade calf strain in the field.
Former captain Shahid Afridi described the PCB’s decision to make sweeping alterations to the travelling party as the “most shocking decision ever by a selection committee”.
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Of the seven replacements who have been called up, only batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have Test experience.
The PCB’s statement on Monday added: “The PCB will not comment further at this time. The board advises stakeholders and the public to rely on official PCB communications.”
New Pakistan coaches in the dark over investigation
Noffke addressed the media in Birmingham on Monday, admitting he was unaware of the specifics of the probe.
“I can be really honest in that I don’t know too much,” he said. “I sit outside of that decision-making model, (which is) above us as coaches. We try and keep the players focused on what they need to worry about.
“One thing that I’ve learned about being in Pakistan and coaching for a period of time, nearly 15 months now with the white-ball team, is there’s always something going on in the background.
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“I think most of the time it’s out of the players’ control. They need to focus on the cricket that they have in front of them and the opportunity they have in front of them.
“We’re not really in the position to even know the outer workings of what’s happening at PCB in that context.”
Noffke also admitted that taking over mid-series as part of head coach Hesson’s staff was “unusual”.
He added: “It doesn’t happen very often and I guess from Mike and my perspective is all we can do is come in and add positivity.
“We want to listen to the players as much as we can, so there’s obviously a feeling of uncertainty but also they’ve just got back on the job.”
Watch day one of England’s third Test against Pakistan, from Edgbaston, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am on Wednesday September 9 (11am first ball). Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream contract-free with NOW.
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