Mobile phones of players confiscated as part of inquiry
Nine fined during Pakistan’s recent tour of Caribbean
Pakistan have launched an investigation into “discipline and conduct” during their highly dysfunctional tour of England, with two players understood to have had their mobile phones confiscated as part of the probe.
A spokesperson for the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Monday that an investigation is currently underway and while no individuals have been named, it follows the removal of seven players from their original touring party last week in response to going 2-0 down with one Test still to play.
The Guardian understands that, as part of this, two players had data from their mobile phones captured by PCB security officials. This is said to have occurred during the aftermath of the team’s 194-run defeat in the second Test at Lord’s.
Amir Mir, the PCB head of communications, wrote on X: “The Pakistan Cricket Board has initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally.
“The PCB handles such matters in accordance with its standard procedures. The process is being conducted under PCB regulations, ensuring that all concerned individuals are given due consideration.”
The precise nature of the investigation – ie any potential wrongdoing or otherwise – is not yet clear, nor has a timeline been announced.
So far only Imam Ul Haq has drawn the public ire of the PCB – and a large section of supporters – after the opener did not bat in either innings of the Lord’s defeat due to a low-grade calf injury suffered on day one.
Speaking in an interview with Geo News last week, Aaqib Javed, Pakistan’s director of high performance, said: “The Imam injury is a big question mark, and a deep disappointment.
“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. How is it possible that a pulled muscle ruled you out of batting in both innings? He should have tried and fought.
“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 released from the squad, along with Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad and the unused Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Zafar. Sarfraz Ahmed was also stood down as head coach, with New Zealander Mike Hesson moved across from his role with the white-ball team.
Speaking after training at Edgbaston on Monday, Pakistan’s newly arrived bowling coach Ashley Noffke said: “I don’t know too much.
“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.
“I guess that’s one thing I’ve learned about being in Pakistan and coaching for a period of time, – nearly 15 months with the white-ball team – 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.”
As well as this ongoing investigation, the upheaval has also triggered news of nine players being fined during Pakistan’s recent tour of the Caribbean.
The Guardian understands this was considered a relatively minor issue. The players were supposed to stay within the Player and Match Officials Areas (PMOA) during their warm-up match in Trinidad, only for a group to break away to watch the Fifa World Cup final in a part of the ground not covered by the restrictions.
