Pakistan’s interim red-ball head coach Mike Hesson has distanced himself from the controversial decision to send senior players Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Imam-ul-Haq home from the ongoing Test tour of England.
Hesson, who was appointed to take charge of Pakistan for the third and final Test against England, said the three players had already been released from the squad before he assumed responsibility for the red-ball side.
‘I really don’t know what happened’
Speaking to reporters in Birmingham, Hesson explained that he was informed about taking over the Test team only after Rizwan, Agha and Imam had already left the squad.
“When they told me if I could manage the side for the final Test, these three players were already released from the squad and on their way home,” Hesson said, adding that he did not know the circumstances behind their release.
Hesson had been working as Pakistan’s white-ball coach and had recently returned from Japan when he was asked to take charge of the Test side following the major shake-up.
Seven players sent home after England defeats
The Pakistan Cricket Board made sweeping changes after England won the first two Tests convincingly. England secured an innings-and-103-run victory in the opening Test before winning the second match at Lord’s by 194 runs.
Following the defeats, the PCB released seven players from the touring squad — Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Imam-ul-Haq, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also removed from their positions.
The decisions sparked considerable criticism, with former Pakistan players questioning the timing and manner of the changes during an ongoing Test series.
Hesson focuses on rebuilding the squad
While making it clear that he was not responsible for the decision involving the three senior players, Hesson said he had made changes to the remaining squad with the aim of creating greater balance.
His priority is to build a bowling attack with greater variety while also introducing more bowling all-rounders. Pakistan have brought several inexperienced players into the squad for the Birmingham Test, including five uncapped cricketers.
Hesson said some of the incoming players had not played competitive cricket for a while but could provide the skills and balance the team currently needs.
Agha still viewed as a ‘fine player’
Hesson also spoke positively about Salman Ali Agha, describing him as a fine player who is working towards a return through domestic cricket.
His comments come amid reports and speculation that disciplinary or behavioural concerns may have contributed to the decision to release some of the senior players. However, Hesson did not confirm those reports and stressed that he was not involved in the original decision.
The coach has also criticised what he described as fabricated stories surrounding the Pakistan team, urging greater focus on the players and the upcoming Test.
Pakistan look to avoid a series whitewash
Pakistan will face England in the third and final Test in Birmingham from September 9. With England already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead, Pakistan’s immediate challenge is to prevent a series whitewash.
For Hesson, the match will also mark the beginning of an attempt to restore stability and a clear identity to a Pakistan side that has undergone major changes in the middle of an already difficult tour.
