The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to send wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and opener Imam-ul-Haq back to Pakistan following the Green Shirts’ heavy defeat to England in the second Test at Lord’s.
According to reliable sources, the Pakistan team management held an emergency meeting in London after Sunday’s 194-run defeat, which gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The development is expected to trigger significant changes to Pakistan’s Test squad ahead of the final match of the series in Birmingham.
Rizwan, who featured in both Tests against England, has come under scrutiny following a series of low scores. The wicketkeeper-batter has managed only 94 runs across his last four Tests, with scores of 12 and 41 in the opening Test at Headingley before returning 7 and 1 at Lord’s.
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Rizwan’s aggressive dismissals in both Tests against England have further intensified criticism surrounding his place in the side.
Imam, meanwhile, featured in Pakistan’s XI for the Lord’s Test but was unable to make a contribution with the bat after suffering a left calf injury while fielding on the opening day.
The opener was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the match and is now reportedly set to return to Pakistan alongside Rizwan.
Pakistan suffered a 194-run defeat at Lord’s despite producing a strong bowling performance on the opening day. England’s victory followed their innings and 103-run win at Headingley, leaving the visitors with no chance of levelling the series.
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