Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Pakistan’s disastrous England Test tour has taken another dramatic turn, with the PCB launching an internal disciplinary enquiry into the team. The development comes after a sweeping mid-series shake-up that saw seven players dropped and two members of the coaching staff released ahead of the final Test.
PCB spokesperson Amir Mir confirmed the enquiry on Monday, September 7, saying the board was looking into media reports concerning discipline and conduct within the team. The PCB, however, did not provide details of the allegations or indicate whether the enquiry was linked to any specific player.
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“The Pakistan Cricket Board has initiated an internal disciplinary enquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally,” Mir said in a statement.
“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 development comes at a turbulent time for Pakistan cricket, with the team having suffered two heavy defeats in the first two Tests matched against England. The defeats have prompted the PCB into making sweeping changes to its squad and support staff before the final game of the series.
PAKISTAN’S SWEEPING CHANGES
Pakistan lost the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs, before suffering a 194-run defeat at Lord’s in the second match.
The response from the PCB was drastic. Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Imam-ul-Haq, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Zafar were dropped from the squad, while head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also released from their positions.
Seven players were subsequently brought into the squad. Among them are Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have already played international cricket, while five players are yet to make their international debuts.
The uncapped players include pace-bowling all-rounders Razaullah Khan and Mohammad Imran, left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas, wicketkeeper Saad Baig and left-arm pacer Mohammad Imran Junior.
The scale of the changes had already raised questions about whether Pakistan’s decisions were based purely on performances. PCB Director of High Performance Aaqib Javed subsequently made the situation more contentious when he criticised Imam-ul-Haq over his supposed calf injury during the Lord’s Test.
Imam suffered a low-grade calf tear at Lord’s and did not bat in either innings. Aaqib questioned how the injury could have prevented the opener from batting altogether and said Imam would have to face an enquiry.
“The Imam injury is a big question mark, and a deep disappointment,” Aaqib told Pakistan broadcaster Geo.
“I can’t say he faked it, but a muscle pull like that cannot stop you from batting altogether.”
Aaqib also defended the PCB’s decision to make so many changes during the series, saying the recalled players had been sent a message that they needed to perform on important tours and show greater effort.
MATCH-FIXING QUESTIONS RESURFACE
The dramatic developments have also brought fresh scrutiny on Pakistan cricket, with news reports from the country suggesting that the reasons behind the changes could go beyond poor performances.
A report by the Times of India said the sweeping decisions were driven by factors that were “more than cricket”. The report also said the PCB had been contacted for comment, but no response was received at the time of publication.
A separate report by Pakistani outlet 365 News claimed that some players had handed over their mobile phones to the PCB, with the devices expected to remain in the board’s custody until the final Test. The report did not identify the players involved, while the PCB has not publicly explained why the devices were taken.
The developments have inevitably revived memories of Pakistan’s infamous spot-fixing scandal at Lord’s in 2010.
Then Pakistan captain Salman Butt, along with Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, was found guilty of accepting money from a bookmaker in return for deliberately bowling no-balls at pre-arranged moments during a Test against England at the same venue. The three players received bans and prison sentences.
There is, however, no confirmation from the PCB that the current enquiry is related to match-fixing.
In its statement, the board specifically referred to “discipline and conduct” and urged the public not to give credibility to speculation or unverified claims circulating on social media and other platforms.
“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 PCB said.
The board added that it would not comment further while the process was ongoing and urged stakeholders and the public to rely on official PCB communications.
Pakistan will now head into the final Test with a significantly altered squad, while the PCB’s internal enquiry adds another layer of uncertainty to an already troubled tour.
For now, the board has not publicly linked the investigation to match-fixing. The enquiry will determine whether the disciplinary concerns reported around the team amount to anything more serious.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
