Chaos, shock and confusion: The inside story of Pakistan’s tour from hell

At about 5pm on Monday, Pakistan players began receiving messages from friends and family, asking if they knew what was going on. The players, who were wandering around London on a day off or at the team hotel, replied that they had no idea what they meant.

The players were then sent social media posts of the statement Pakistan had just released: seven players were being sent home mid-series from the three-Test tour of England and the coaching staff were sacked. It followed two heavy losses in Headingley, by an innings and 103 runs, and at Lord’s, by 194 runs. Pakistan have lost 15 of their last 20 Test matches.

Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Salman Ali Agha, who captained the team in the first Test defeat at Headingley, Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Zafar are the banished seven. Team management had not told them beforehand.

Some of the seven had not even played a Test on what has turned into Pakistan’s tour from hell. Others had performed reasonably well in the two losses. All agreed, though, that the way the shock decision had been handled left the most bitter of tastes.

The international future of many Pakistan players is up in the air with questions over their character, fitness and decision-making.

It also sums up Pakistan cricket at its worst. Bizarre decision-making, a lack of structure or professionalism and no attempt at proper communication.

A day of chaos

If you want chaos, nobody does it quite like the Pakistan Cricket Board. Pakistan may be bottom of the World Test Championship standings but, when it comes to running a cricket team like a circus, they have an unsurmountable lead.

But, even by the PCB’s turbulent standards, the last few days have been extraordinary.

It began with whispers of possible changes within the squad and escalated into an upheaval with almost half the touring party being classed as surplus to requirements.

The scale and sheer disorder of the decisions have stunned players and bewildered supporters, leaving observers to again question how a major cricketing institution can operate in such an irrational manner.

The PCB’s frustration appears to have been simmering and the events of the series – both on and off the field – pushed the board into a reaction which blindsided the players.

Several of them contacted friends and family privately, expressing shock and confusion as to what was happening with no direct communication coming from management, captain or coach.

One player, who has played in the series and believes he has performed satisfactorily, felt he was being unfairly scapegoated. He was in his room at the team hotel in London when he also started receiving messages. A friend then forwarded the press release to him. He had to read the press release twice to believe it, initially assuming it was fake.

Not even telling the players they were being sent home was viewed as degrading by those in question.

The farce continued on Tuesday when former captain Misbah-ul-Haq appeared to resign from Pakistan’s selection committee after he was not consulted about the seven players called up.

Senior players under fire

Before the decision to rip apart the squad and the management, Pakistan’s tour of England had been marred with tension between the players and board.

The atmosphere in the squad deteriorated as the tour progressed, with morale low after the opening two Test defeats.

Players paint a picture of a squad in turmoil, unsure of direction and lacking the most basic communication from those in charge.

One of the players sent back to Pakistan is opener Imam-ul-Haq. His international future is thought to be in serious doubt after he did not bat in either innings at Lord’s following a “calf injury”, for which he drew criticism from the likes of Stuart Broad, Nasser Hussain and Ramiz Raja.

The PCB was furious with how the injury situation unfolded, believing the episode reflected poorly on the player and the team. Last summer, Chris Woakes had batted for England with his arm in a sling while Australia’s Nathan Lyon and India’s Rishabh Pant had also memorably come to the crease with injuries in recent years.

The incident appears to have been a tipping point. The handling of injuries and player fitness has long been a contentious issue in Pakistan cricket and this latest controversy intensified concerns about the lack of protocols and accountability.

The board has demanded a detailed assessment of Imam’s injury, including when he first reported the problem, the medical evaluation carried out during the Test and the reasons he was unable to bat at Lord’s.

Rizwan is another senior player sent home after finding himself in the firing line. Sources not authorised to comment publicly say the PCB is unhappy with his influence in the dressing room, feeling he has become a disruptive presence.

Rizwan’s shot selection at times during the Test series has reportedly frustrated senior figures within team management and at board level, who expect better from a player of his experience.

Rizwan has long been considered one of Pakistan’s most resilient cricketers, but the board’s dissatisfaction could have long-term implications given his recent struggles with the bat which has resulted in his Test average declining.

Coaches swiftly axed

The coaching staff have not escaped the fallout, either. Rumours were swirling that head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed might be sacked. They proved accurate.

Sarfaraz, 39, was a surprise pick for many as head coach given his lack of experience. He had only coached at the under-19 level and in a two-Test series in the Caribbean before the tour of England.

Coaches tend not to last very long at the best of times in Pakistan cricket, but Sarfaraz’s abrupt removal midway through a series will raise eyebrows.

The PCB, unhappy with performances and the defensive brand of cricket, acted decisively in relieving Sarfaraz of his duties. The decision reflects a familiar pattern: when results dip, the coach is often the first casualty. Umar Gul, the bowling coach, has also been removed. The PCB felt he failed to get the best out of the seamers and his explanation for the poor display at Leeds – namely, the cold weather – did not sit well, irritating senior officials who felt it lacked accountability.

Gul, a respected former fast bowler, had been tasked with revitalising Pakistan’s pace attack.

The PCB was contacted for comment.

The Telegraph, London

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