Pakistan lost the opening two Tests of their three-match series in England at Headingley and Lord’s. In response, the PCB took drastic action by removing seven players from the tour and replacing two coaching staff members. Among those sent home were Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq. Coach Sarfaraz Ahmed was replaced by Mike Hesson, who took charge for the third Test in Birmingham, which will begin on September 9.
Nasser Hussain, the former England captain, appeared on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast to express his concerns about how the Pakistan board had managed the situation. Hussain’s criticism focused on the public manner in which the PCB had handled player discipline and the treatment of injured players during the tour.
“I don’t think after Headingley that the world was laughing at Pakistan. My rant at Lord’s about them not fighting back, about India vs Pakistan games being very one-sided and that they were a poor side playing poorly wasn’t laughing at them,” Hussain said.
The importance of protecting players during touring difficulties
The handling of Imam-ul-Haq’s injury became central to Hussain’s criticism of the PCB’s approach. Imam sustained a calf strain on the opening day of the Lord’s Test and was ruled out of that match. On the fourth day, he was observed batting in the nets despite the injury, prompting England fast bowler Stuart Broad to suggest the display was for show.
The PCB’s director of high performance, Aaqib Javed, had publicly criticised Imam on live television, which drew sharp rebuke from Hussain.
“I cannot believe how a director of high performance can go on telly, rightly or wrongly, and throw a player under the bus. He is either injured or he is not,” Hussain added.
Hussain’s broader point centred on the need for cricket boards to shield their players from public criticism during difficult tours. The former captain emphasised that other touring sides typically manage player information discreetly, keeping injury details and selection decisions private until necessary.
By contrast, Hussain argued, the PCB’s willingness to air grievances publicly had compounded Pakistan’s difficulties on the England tour and damaged the team’s standing in world cricket.
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