LAHORE: Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq have been ruled ineligible to participate in the upcoming President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament due to non-compliance with mandatory fitness regulations.
According to sources, both players failed to appear for their respective departmental fitness assessments and did not submit the mandatory medical and physical reports required by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) ahead of first-class fixtures.
Mohammad Rizwan, named as the vice-captain for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), was set to lead the side in the opening match against State Bank in the absence of regular skipper Shan Masood.
Similarly, Imam-ul-Haq was designated to captain Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) in their tournament opener against Pakistan Television (PTV). However, the strict enforcement of fitness criteria by the board has temporarily halted their domestic return.
The development unfolds amidst ongoing scrutiny surrounding both cricketers, who were recently called back to Pakistan from the tour of England alongside a few other members following a series defeat and subsequent internal reviews regarding discipline.
While investigations and inquiries by relevant authorities remain active, the immediate setback centers entirely on the missing fitness clearance documentation needed to feature in the President’s
The sudden decision to recall senior cricketers Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq from the national squad during the high-profile tour of England has triggered intense debate across the cricketing fraternity.
The abrupt repatriation stemmed from a mix of dismal on-field returns, fitness debates, and broader internal evaluations concerning team conduct and discipline.
Imam faced severe public scrutiny regarding the nature of a calf strain he picked up during the Lord’s Test, while Rizwan struggled to find his footing with the bat throughout the red-ball assignment.
The situation escalated further when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) initiated comprehensive inquiries, leading to the involvement of investigative bodies and shifting focus well beyond standard athletic performance.
By pulling them back mid-series, the team management signaled a zero-tolerance approach toward alleged protocol breaches and off-field controversies.
Their subsequent exclusion from the opening round of the President’s Trophy Grade-I due to unverified fitness profiles highlights a widening gap between elite players and domestic governance structures.
For high-profile figures accustomed to automatic selection, this episode serves as a stern reminder that administrative protocols apply universally.
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Whether both players can swiftly clear their pending fitness clearances and address ongoing inquiries will dictate how quickly they can restore their competitive rhythm in domestic and international contention.
