Sports

Pakistan Cricket Board Probes Player Conduct Amid Turmoil on England Tour

By Ali Martin

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has launched an internal investigation into player discipline and conduct during its troubled tour of England, with two players reportedly having their mobile phone data seized by security officials as part of the inquiry. A PCB spokesperson confirmed on Monday that the investigation is ongoing, though no players have been officially named. The probe follows the removal of seven players from Pakistan's touring squad last week after the team fell 2-0 down in the Test series with one match remaining. According to sources familiar with the matter, the phone data was collected from two players following Pakistan's 194-run defeat in the second Test at Lord's. PCB head of communications Amir Mir addressed the situation on social media platform X, stating that the board had "initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally." He added that the process was being carried out under standard PCB regulations, with due consideration given to all individuals involved. The exact focus of the investigation and any timeline for its conclusion have not been disclosed. Opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq has faced particular criticism from the PCB and fans after failing to bat in either innings at Lord's due to a minor calf injury sustained on the first day. Aaqib Javed, Pakistan's director of high performance, told Geo News that Imam's injury raised serious concerns, saying: "Players in the past used to get injuries, but they used to put on casts and still tried [to play]. We'll take action against this... He'll have to face an inquiry; I can't say he faked it, but a muscle pull like that cannot stop you from batting altogether." Imam has since been dropped from the squad, along with Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, and squad members Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Zafar, who had not featured in matches. Head coach Sarfraz Ahmed was also removed from his position, with New Zealander Mike Hesson stepping in from his previous role with the white-ball team. Speaking after a training session at Edgbaston on Monday, Pakistan's newly appointed bowling coach Ashley Noffke said he had limited knowledge of the situation, noting: "I sit outside that decision-making model above us as coaches. We try to keep the players focused on what they need to worry about... there's always something going on in the background, whether or not it's in or out of our control – and most of the time it's out of the players' control." Separately, it has emerged that nine Pakistan players were fined during the team's recent tour of the Caribbean, in what is understood to be a minor disciplinary matter. The players had been required to remain within designated Player and Match Officials Areas during a warm-up match in Trinidad, but a group left the restricted zone to watch the Fifa World Cup final elsewhere in the venue.