The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Monday that it has launched an internal disciplinary inquiry to examine reports of player misconduct and behavioural issues after the team’s poor performances in the first two Test matches against England.
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also sent back home, with their duties taken up by Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke. “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 will not comment further at this time. The Board advises stakeholders and the public to rely on official PCB communications,” added Mir. The PCB administration led by Mohsin Naqvi has faced severe backlash from former players and experts for taking such unprecedented measures in the middle of an overseas tour, even as Pakistan currently languishes at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
Focus now shifts to the third and final Test in Birmingham, starting on September 9, where a heavily restructured Babar Azam-led side will aim to avoid a series whitewash amidst off-field turbulence.
