Imam-ul-Haq returns home wearing face mask after being dropped from squad

Pakistan batter Imam-ul-Haq returned to Lahore on Tuesday after being dropped from the national squad midway through the Test tour of England following Pakistan’s disappointing results in the series.

Imam arrived at Allama Iqbal International Airport wearing a face mask and left the airport without speaking to the media before heading home.

Mohammad Rizwan was also scheduled to travel on the same flight to Peshawar, according to reports.

Salman Ali Agha and Ali Usman have reportedly also left the Pakistan team hotel and travelled to another city to stay with relatives.

The departures follow a major mid-tour overhaul of Pakistan’s squad and coaching staff by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

The board dropped seven players from the squad. Imam, Rizwan, Salman, Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad had featured in the Test series, while Aamer Jamal and Mohammad Owais Jafar were sent home without playing a match.

The PCB also made changes to the coaching staff, including the head coach and bowling coach, following Pakistan’s performances in the series.

The changes have drawn criticism from former Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur and former captains Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik.

Arthur criticised the frequent changes to Pakistan’s players, coaches and selectors, saying the team needed greater planning, stability and structure.