One of the players axed from Pakistan’s touring party has reportedly declined to attend a special audience with King Charles at Clarence House. His identity has not been made public.
Who attended
The Pakistan Cricket Board had made sweeping changes after consecutive Test defeats to England at Lord’s and Headingley, removing seven members of the squad and coaching staff. Some of those discarded were still asked to join the royal occasion. Four of them, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad and Muhammad Awais Zafar, did attend, but one more dropped player is said to have stayed away. The episode points to growing frustration over how the PCB has handled the tour.
At Clarence House
The King welcomed the touring group and officials, spoke with the players and offered encouragement during a hard period. Captain Babar Azam gave him a Pakistan team bat signed by the squad, and PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi presented a gift on the board’s behalf.
Naqvi called the audience warm and positive, and said the King praised Pakistan’s contribution to peace.
Turmoil and the final Test
The engagement came amid upheaval. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed was dismissed after the Lord’s and Headingley defeats, and New Zealand’s Mike Hesson will lead the team for the rest of the series.
Attention now turns to the third and final Test, which starts at Edgbaston on September 9, 2026. Pakistan trail after two losses and need a win there to avoid a clean sweep. It is also a first chance to respond under the new coaching setup.
