The incident reportedly took place on Tuesday when members of the Pakistan team visited Clarence House to meet King Charles. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi was also present. Although the seven dropped players were initially reluctant to attend, the PCB insisted that they be part of the royal gathering.
The board’s decision was reportedly influenced by the fact that replacements for the discarded players had not yet arrived in England. With a smaller group otherwise expected to attend the meeting, the PCB apparently wanted to avoid an awkward-looking gathering during the royal audience.
According to The Telegraph, four of the seven players—Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad and Muhammad Awais Zafar—attended the event. However, the report did not identify the player who refused to appear.
The player’s reported refusal came in protest against the PCB’s decision to send him home midway through the tour. The episode adds to the turmoil surrounding Pakistan’s Test setup after the team suffered consecutive innings defeats in England.
Following those defeats, the PCB undertook a major overhaul, sending seven players back home and making changes to the coaching staff. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also removed from their positions, while white-ball coach Mike Hesson was brought in ahead of the third Test.
During the royal meeting, Pakistan captain Babar Azam reportedly presented King Charles with a signed cricket bat. Naqvi, who also serves as Pakistan’s interior minister, presented a gift to the King.
Meetings between touring cricket teams and members of the British royal family have traditionally been part of Test tours in England. Pakistan’s current visit, however, has been marked by several controversies, with the latest incident becoming another talking point surrounding the team.
The tour had already generated headlines during the Lord’s Test when Pakistan threatened not to return to the field after lunch on the opening day. The dispute followed Sky Sports’ broadcast of an interview with the sons of former Pakistan captain Imran Khan.
With the third Test approaching and major changes already made to the squad and coaching setup, attention will now turn to whether Pakistan can recover on the field and end a turbulent phase of the England tour on a stronger note.
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