The Pakistan Cricket Board has taken a major step to review the selection decision made ahead of Pakistan’s tough tour of England. PCB has issued a show-cause notice to its whole selection committee and asked for a reason behind the selection of Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq to be part of the touring squad according to a report in Hindustan Times.
According to the report, the selection committee has 24 hours to submit its written response. The board has to know what criteria were employed to select the two players and how their performances had changed and how discussions did this come to be.
The development comes at a time when Pakistan cricket is in such a state of flux and the team is struggling in its Test series in England. PCB’s decision to question the selectors adds even further pressure on the selection committee and could signal a wider review of the team’s selection protocols in general.
PCB Seeks Explanation Over Rizwan And Imam Picks
Rizwan and Imam were picked after the selection meeting on June 2. However, their participation in the England tour was short-lived as both players were released from the Test squad after Pakistan's second match against England at Lord's.
The PCB has now asked the selectors to explain why the two batters were initially considered suitable for the touring squad. A PCB spokesperson confirmed to HT Digital that a show-cause notice had been issued to the entire committee.
The notice was said to be urgent and required the selectors to reply within 24 hours of receiving it. The board will consider in their work on the reasons behind the selections as part of the preparation for the England tour to get a sense of how things had gone.
The move does not necessarily mean that the selectors will be disciplined. But it is clear that PCB is taking this matter seriously, especially when Pakistan’s performance in the series is not good.
Mohammad Rizwan’s Test Form Under The Scanner
Mohammad Rizwan’s selection was already up for debate because of his poor performance in Test cricket. The wicketkeeper-batter has been a key member of Pakistan’s team throughout formats but his performance in the longest format has not been very convincing lately.
Rizwan scored 61 runs in four innings against England. His 2026 Test tally was 283 runs from six matches at an average of 25.72, including two half-centuries.
His numbers in the previous year were also not outstanding. Rizwan scored 360 runs in 10 innings in Test cricket during 2025. He does not have a Test century since his unbeaten 171 against Bangladesh in August 2024, the report said.
Pakistan’s decision to release him after the second Test, for which the selectors had initially supported him in the tour, therefore attracted attention, especially because of Pakistan’s initial support for him.
Pakistan lost the second Test at Lord’s by 194 runs, which made the team under immense pressure. England became the team in control of the three-match series with Pakistan’s players and selection strategy under pressure.
Imam-ul-Haq’s Injury Adds Another Layer
Imam-ul-Haq was also released from the squad after suffering a calf injury during the Lord’s Test. The opener did not bat in either innings as Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat.
The circumstances of the injury have been discussed in the media, and speculation about Imam’s fitness also persists. But such claims are allegations and have not been proved as fact.
I believe PCB’s decision to seek clarification from the selection committee has been taken to put all emphasis on the original decision on the selection committee’s selection of Imam to be in the touring team instead of the validity of all speculation about his injury.
For the selectors, the 24-hour deadline means they will have to provide a detailed explanation at a time when Pakistan cricket is already being heavily scrutinized.
Pressure Builds On Pakistan Cricket
Pakistan entered the England series expecting to perform well, but consecutive defeats in the first two Tests left the team unable to win the series ahead of the final match.
The results have naturally stimulated debate about team composition, player form, and selection policy. PCB’s latest move could be seen as part of a larger effort to assess decisions made around the national team.
Selection committees are often under pressure to balance current form with experience, team requirements, and long-term planning. Rizwan’s international experience and Imam’s previous work experience would have been factors in their selection, but their subsequent release has raised questions about the original assessment.
The selectors must now describe the process which brought them in and what was the reasoning behind the decisions made in June.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus will be on the written response from the selection committee. Once PCB gets the explanation, the board could decide whether further action is needed or whether the selectors’ reasoning adequately addresses the concerns raised.
The episode has highlighted the pressure on Pakistan cricket following its poor England performance. With heavy international commitments to face in the future, the PCB will be keen to ensure selection decisions are determined with a strong clarity and that differences of opinion about squad composition and the selection process are not an obstacle to preparation.
The situation is also uncertain for Rizwan and Imam as it is for their international careers. Both are experienced Pakistan players, but their recent setbacks show the fierce competition for places in the national side.
The PCB’s 24-hour deadline has now placed the selection committee under the spotlight. Its response could give clues as to the thinking behind the England tour selections and whether there will be more changes in Pakistan cricket’s decision-making structure.
