Pakistan cricket board opens inquiry into England tour conduct

The Pakistan Cricket Board has begun an internal inquiry into reported discipline and conduct issues during Pakistan’s turbulent England tour, adding another layer of uncertainty as the team prepares for the final Test at Edgbaston.

Pakistan trail England 2-0 in the three-Test series. The tour has already seen seven players sent home, seven replacements called up and Sarfaraz Ahmed replaced as head coach by New Zealander Mike Hesson.

In a statement, the PCB said the inquiry was being conducted under its regulations and that all relevant individuals would be given due consideration. The board did not specify which incidents or people were covered.

The PCB also warned stakeholders against treating speculative reports or unverified claims, particularly those it attributed to “hostile external sources”, as credible. It said it would not comment further and urged the public to rely on official communications.

Assistant coach Ashley Noffke said he was not aware of the investigation’s details, indicating that the board’s internal process was separate from the coaching staff’s decision-making. Pakistan had also threatened to abandon the second Test and tour after Sky broadcast an interview with imprisoned former prime minister and captain Imran Khan.