The PCB has launched an investigation into issues of discipline and conduct on the part of Pakistan players on tour in England, with a statement from the board saying the decision was prompted by unspecified "media reports".
The PCB "has initiated an internal disciplinary inquiry following media reports concerning discipline and conduct, which are currently being reviewed internally," media director Amir Mir said on social media. "The PCB handles such matters in accordance with its standard procedures. The process is being conducted under PCB regulations, ensuring that all concerned individuals are given due consideration."
The development came in the wake of a major upheaval in the men's national side, which is currently in Birmingham for the third and final Test against England.
The PCB replaced seven players from the squad after a 194-run defeat at Lord's in the second Test, which gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. It also relieved Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul, the head coach and bowling coach respectively, of their duties just six matches into the job and handed the interim reins to white-ball coaches Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke.
Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, had hinted at a possible investigation when talking to Pakistani news network Geo. "We have had a discussion to ascertain the reasons behind it [team's poor performances]," he had said. "They include factors beyond performance and we will get to the bottom of it."
The reshuffle of the coaching set-up, Cricinfo understands, came about after a breakdown in communication between the touring selection committee, comprising Sarfaraz and captain Babar Azam, and Aaqib Javed, the PCB's director of high performance and one of four selectors, with Aaqib going on to publicly criticise Sarfaraz for his selectorial choices.
At the time, he also hinted at an inquiry against Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq, who picked up a calf tear on the first day of the second Test and did not come out to bat. Aaqib believed Imam should have batted, and echoed Naqvi's statements of a general breakdown of discipline and function within the touring party, saying the changes they had made were because "the world was laughing at us".
At this stage, there is no information about who the investigation is specifically targeted against, or any timeline for when it will be resolved, or what possible sanctions there could be. It is also not clear whether the enquiry only concerns those who have been recalled, or also members of the squad who are currently training in Birmingham for the third Test, which begins on September 9.