The PCB is considering sweeping changes to both Pakistan‘s management and playing members after their heavy defeat to England at Lord’s. Cricinfo understands a number of players are set to travel to England on Monday as Pakistan look to beef up options for the third and final Test at Edgbaston, set to begin on September 9. It has also been learned that Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan will be sent home.

While Pakistan’s defeat at Headingley was even more one-sided, the PCB refrained from any high-profile changes, partly down to the quick turnaround time between the first two Tests. There was only one to the side that lost that Test – albeit a notable one, with stand-in captain Salman Agha making way for returning captain Babar Azam. But another limp performance at Lord’s appears to have convinced the board of the need for a more heavy-handed shakeup.

Pakistan’s white-ball coach Mike Hesson is already in London for an official visit, and while that had been planned in advance of the 194-run defeat on Sunday, there is rising speculation he will be asked to take on a coaching role with the red-ball side, at least on an interim basis for the third Test. Cricinfo has learned that support staff members and more players are set to join him in England.

All of this comes in the backdrop of increasing uncertainty around the fates of current Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul. Sarfaraz has been coach of the Test side for a little over three months, but has presided over a poor set of results, with Pakistan losing five of the six Tests under him. In that time, Pakistan axed their Test captain Shan Masood, and replaced him with Babar.

The PCB’s displeasure is not limited to the coaching staff. It is believed that Imam’s not coming out to bat in either innings left many at the board unimpressed. According to a PCB statement released on the first day, he suffered a low grade tear in his calf, and subsequently did not take the field for the remainder of the Test. On the fourth morning, however, after criticism from some quarters, including former Pakistan chief selector Mohammad Wasim, he emerged to warm-up with the rest of the side on the fourth morning. He was visibly limping as he shadow-batted some gentle throwdowns. Stuart Broad, on broadcast commentary at the time, was heavily critical, calling it “all for show”, with David Warner also pouring scorn in a social media post.

While Cricinfo reported Imam’s injury may have eased enough to render him available for the third Test, media reports have suggested the PCB intend to send him home instead. Similar speculation has surrounded Rizwan, whose brief innings ended with a bizarre attempted slog to a ball that nipped back and trapped him in front. It is a shot he has played repeatedly this tour with little success, and is emblematic of a decline in his batting form.

Cricinfo has reached out to the PCB for official comment. England have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.