The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has issued a show-cause notice to its selection committee, demanding an explanation within 24 hours for the inclusion of opener Imam-ul-Haq and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan for the tours of West Indies and England.

A PCB spokesperson confirmed the development to Cricbuzz on Tuesday (September 1) evening. The notice, issued by PCB's Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed under the direction of the "competent authority," marks a rare administrative intervention into the selection committee's on-field judgments.

"As advised by competent authority, you are hereby requested to provide explanation regarding the basis and rationale for the selection of the two players, including relevant selection criteria, performance considerations and any other factors taken into account during the selection process," a part of the one-page show-cause notice reads, as quoted by Cricbuzz.

The targeted committee features highly prominent former national players, including Aaqib Javed, Misbah-ul-Haq, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Asad Shafiq.

According to the report, the selection panel must provide the exact basis, rationale, performance data, and criteria used to justify selecting Imam and Rizwan, and has been asked to treat the notice "as urgent and of utmost importance."

The development coincides with emerging reports that Misbah has tendered his resignation from the selection committee, though the PCB management has not yet formally accepted it.

Meanwhile, the PCB announced a sweeping mid-tour overhaul of its Test squad and coaching staff following a crushing 194-run defeat to England at Lord's, which left the visitors trailing 0-2 in the three-match series.

The board released seven players from the touring party, including Salman Ali Agha, Rizwan, Imam, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.

Seven new players were also called up ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston, including five uncapped talents. The list features Saim Ayub, Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran, and Razaullah.

The PCB also took the unprecedented step of overhauling its coaching staff. Red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were relieved of their duties.

White-ball head coach Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke have taken over the backroom responsibilities for the remainder of the England tour.

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)