After a big 194-run loss to England in the second Test at Lord’s, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made several major changes. They dropped seven players and removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul from their roles. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke were brought in as their replacements.
However, one of the seven dropped players was unhappy with the decision. He later refused to attend a meeting with King Charles at Clarence House. It only proves that there’s a lack of unity in the touring camp. In the meantime, the identity of the player hasn’t been disclosed yet. He is reportedly staying away from the gathering in protest against the changes made between Test series.
Dropped Player Refuses to Meet King Charles
Especially when Pakistan are left with no chance of winning the series, as they are currently trailing 2-0. Notably, the entire Pakistan squad, including the players removed after the Lord’s defeat, had been instructed to attend the royal engagement. Muhammad Awais Zafar, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad and Ali Usman, who were dropped from the squad, attended the event.
Two other players were also reportedly not keen to attend the meeting because of the issues surrounding the team and the PCB in the previous week. The seventh player did not attend the meeting, even though he had been told that it was compulsory.
The meeting was friendly. King Charles spoke to the Pakistan team and wished the players well ahead of their Test in Birmingham. Pakistan had already lost the series.
Captain Babar Azam gifted the King a signed cricket bat, while PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also presented him with a gift. The dispute comes during a turbulent period for Pakistan cricket. Apart from the squad-related dilemma, the upheaval has also involved a dispute over a proposed Sky Sports interview with the sons of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan.