Mohammad Rizwan Among Casualties! PCB To Revamp Pakistan Squad vs England

Mohammad Rizwan among players to be dropped from PAK squad [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, the PCB has reportedly decided to remove Mohammad Rizwan from the Pakistan squad for the third Test against England. Led by Babar Azam, Pakistan have had a horrible campaign on the England tour, conceding the series to the home team with consecutive defeats in the first two matches. 

The tourists had a forgettable start to the tour, losing the opening encounter at Headingley by a massive margin of an innings and 103 runs. Although Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Abbas put up more spirited efforts in the subsequent match at Lord's, the visiting side was steamrolled by their English opponents yet again, with Ollie Robinson registering a clinical ten-wicket haul. 

Mohammad Rizwan to be sent back to Pakistan amid poor form

The persistent failure of Pakistan's batting unit has been the primary reason behind their downfall on the England tour. Barring Saud Shakeel, none of the Pakistani batters has averaged more than 30 across four innings in the ongoing Test series. 

Mohammad Rizwan, in particular, has been the biggest disappointment for the Pakistani team. The keeper-batter has managed only 61 runs, the worst among Pakistan's designated batters who have played all four innings in the series so far. Barring a knock of 41, Rizwan has failed to breach the 15-run mark on three of four occasions, highlighting his lean patch in the seam-friendly conditions in England. 

So, considering his torrid form, the PCB has decided to remove Mohammad Rizwan from the Test squad and call him back to Pakistan. 

Also Read: Salman Agha, Rizwan's Comedy Of Errors Saves Dan Lawrence In PAK vs ENG 1st Test

According to a report from The Express Tribune, Rizwan and injured batter Imam-ul-Haq are all set to be dropped from the team, with Pakistan eyeing their first win of the tour to avoid an embarrassing whitewash in the final Test at the Edgbaston in Birmingham. 

While Rizwan's poor form is responsible for his ouster, the PCB is reportedly unhappy with Imam-ul-Haq for refusing to bat despite taking painkillers amid his hamstring injury. Earlier, it was reported that Imam had sustained a grade 1 hamstring tear and would need at least ten days of rest to recover. 

PCB summons 6 players including Saim Ayub, Arafat Minhas to revamp Pakistan squad

The report from the Express Tribune also states that the PCB has called up six cricketers, including the all-rounders' duo of Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas, to strengthen Pakistan's depleted Test side in England. 

Saim Ayub has played 8 Tests for Pakistan, amassing 364 runs, including three fifties, at a modest average of 26. The batter recently showed remarkable form in the CPL, scoring 127 runs at a superb average of 63.50 and a blistering strike rate of 160.76. 

Ayub has featured in 25 First-Class matches, scoring 1608 runs at a healthy average of 38.28. Being an opening batter, Saim Ayub will join the Pakistan Test squad as a like-for-like replacement for Imam-ul-Haq. 

Arafat Minhas, on the other hand, hasn't played a single Test for Pakistan. However, he has had an eventful First-Class career, scoring 941 runs and scalping 22 wickets in the domestic circuit. 

Mike Hesson called up to resolve Pakistan's crisis in England

In another notable development, the PCB has asked white-ball coach Mike Hesson to join the Test squad ahead of the final dead-rubber of the three-match series in Birmingham. 

Hesson will link up with Sarfaraz Ahmed, who currently serves as the head coach of the team in Test cricket. The report states that Hesson will not immediately replace Sarfaraz, but if his inclusion brings the desired result for the team at Edgbaston, the PCB could consider roping him in as their head coach in all three formats. 

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