Pakistan to send Mohammad Rizwan and Imam Ul Haq home from England tour

Pakistan are set to send wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and opening batter Imam Ul Haq home from their tour of England after the tourists suffered heavy defeats in the first two World Test Championship matches, Geo News reported on August 31, 2026. The reports followed Pakistan’s loss in the second Test at Lord's.

Pakistan sit at the bottom of the World Test Championship points table. They lost the opening Test to England by an innings and 103 runs at Leeds. They were beaten in the second Test at Lord's by 194 runs.

Touring Pakistan media in England reported a high-level meeting of Pakistan Cricket Board officials after the second Test. Attendees at the meeting included PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, COO Sumair Ahmed, PSL CEO Salman Naseer, former player and senior selector Aaqib Javed and head coach for limited-overs cricket Mike Hesson. The meeting was organised following the tourists’ defeat in the second Test.

A reliable source within the PCB said Naqvi, who is also a minister in the government of Pakistan, has been conveyed of their disappointment by those above him over how the Pakistan team has fared in England. "The incident of Imran Khan's sons' interview being aired during the second Test on Sky Sports has also upset the powers that be, but more than anything, it is the portrayal of the Pakistan team in the media and their performance that has caused concern," the source said.

"It has been decided to send back Rizwan and Imam," Geo News reported. The source claimed Rizwan and Imam are both on their way back home. "Imam is in big trouble," he said, and added that the 23-year-old Abdullah Fazal, who has played two Tests, is certain to be sent to England.

Imam did not bat in the second Test after suffering an injury on the first day while fielding, but there are doubts over the genuineness of his injury. The source said Hesson taking charge of the Test team was also discussed in the meeting, and he would now remain with the Pakistan side for their remainder of the England tour. The source added that Hesson's presence puts a big question mark on the future of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed.

According to the reports and the PCB source, Rizwan and Imam are due to depart England and Abdullah Fazal will be sent to join the touring party, while Mike Hesson will remain with Pakistan for the remainder of the England tour.