New Delhi: Pakistan cricket’s ongoing turmoil has taken another dramatic turn, with Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq reportedly dropped from the Test squad not only because of their performances but also because of concerns over their behaviour inside the dressing room.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sent seven players home after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests of the ongoing England series. Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha were among those released, while four other players were also withdrawn from the touring squad. The PCB subsequently named seven replacements ahead of the third and final Test in Birmingham.

While the official PCB announcement did not specify disciplinary or behavioural reasons for the changes, a report based on a source close to the board has claimed that behaviour was an additional factor in the decisions involving Rizwan and Imam.

Behaviour reportedly played a role in exits

According to the PTI report cited by NDTV, the PCB’s decision to remove Rizwan, Imam and Salman was part of a broader plan to restructure the Test side after the team’s poor results in England.

The report claimed that poor form was not the only consideration in the cases of Rizwan and Imam. Their reported behaviour in the dressing room was also said to have contributed to the decision to send them home.

This is an important distinction because the PCB’s official statement announcing the squad changes simply confirmed that the seven players had been released following the Lord’s Test. It did not publicly state that Rizwan or Imam were removed for disciplinary reasons.

The reported dressing-room concerns therefore remain allegations attributed to sources close to the board rather than an officially confirmed disciplinary finding.

Imam’s injury controversy adds to the pressure

Imam-ul-Haq’s situation is particularly complicated because his departure from the England tour has also been linked to questions surrounding his calf injury.

The PCB had officially announced on August 28 that Imam suffered a low-grade strain to his left calf while fielding on the opening day of the second Test at Lord’s. The board said he was receiving treatment under the supervision of the Pakistan medical team and that his participation would depend on his recovery.

However, questions were subsequently raised after reports suggested that Imam was seen taking part in throwdowns despite not batting during the Test. A PCB selection committee member reportedly sought an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the injury.

Another NDTV report said Imam could potentially face a suspension of up to two years if the controversy resulted in disciplinary action, while also reporting that the PCB had concerns about Rizwan’s discipline. No such two-year ban has been announced, and any disciplinary consequences would depend on the outcome of the reported inquiry.

Rizwan’s position also under scrutiny

Rizwan, meanwhile, was one of Pakistan’s most experienced players but was still sent home following the Lord’s defeat.

The wicketkeeper-batter was among the senior players removed as Pakistan attempted to make significant changes before the final Test. The decision came after Pakistan lost the first Test by an innings and 103 runs and the second by 194 runs, leaving England with an unassailable 2-0 lead.

The report alleging dressing-room concerns adds another dimension to Rizwan’s exclusion. However, there has been no official PCB statement detailing a specific disciplinary incident involving him.

Recent reports have also suggested that the board is reviewing the work of its selection committee. The PCB reportedly sought explanations regarding the selection of Rizwan and Imam for the England tour, while former captain Misbah-ul-Haq was reported to have offered his resignation from the selection committee.

Pakistan make sweeping changes before third Test

The squad overhaul has been much wider than the removal of Rizwan and Imam.

Along with the seven players, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also released from their roles. Mike Hesson was brought in as interim red-ball head coach, while Ashley Noffke replaced Gul.

The seven replacements are Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Mohammad Imran, also known as Imran Randhawa, and Razaullah.

Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have Test experience, while Arafat Minhas has represented Pakistan in limited-overs cricket. Saad Baig, meanwhile, was the Player of the Tournament in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Mohammad Imran Jnr, Imran Randhawa and Razaullah are among the less experienced additions, with two of them yet to represent Pakistan internationally.

Mike Hesson distances himself from the decision

The timing of the changes has also created confusion over who made the decisions.

Hesson, who has taken charge of Pakistan’s red-ball team on an interim basis for the third Test, said Rizwan, Imam and Salman were already released before he assumed his new responsibility. He therefore distanced himself from the decision to send those senior players home.

Hesson’s immediate task is now to prepare a substantially changed Pakistan side for the final Test against England.

The third Test is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston in Birmingham on September 9. Pakistan must win the match to avoid a 3-0 series defeat.

PCB faces questions over its handling of the crisis

Pakistan’s drastic mid-series changes have attracted criticism from former players and observers.

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja described the overhaul as a panic reaction, while Shahid Afridi also questioned the logic behind making such extensive changes during an ongoing Test series. Reuters reported that former players and coaches had criticised the PCB’s approach, with concerns over stability and planning becoming central to the debate.

The latest reports suggest that the board’s restructuring could extend beyond the playing squad. A new selection committee could reportedly be appointed after the England tour, while the future roles of several members of the existing management setup are under review.

For now, however, the most serious claims concerning Rizwan and Imam remain unproven publicly. The PCB has confirmed that both players were released, but it has not officially said that dressing-room behaviour was the reason for their removal.

Pakistan’s immediate priority will be the Edgbaston Test, but the controversies surrounding player selection, injuries, discipline and management could continue long after the England series ends.

Conclusion: Pakistan’s decision to overhaul its Test squad has created another major chapter in the team’s ongoing crisis. While poor performances clearly contributed to the changes, reports of dressing-room behaviour and Imam-ul-Haq’s injury controversy have added further uncertainty. Until the PCB provides a formal explanation or completes any investigation, the behavioural allegations should be treated as reported claims rather than established facts.