New Pakistan Head Coach Mike Hesson Addresses Squad Overhaul Ahead of Final Test

Pakistan has appointed Mike Hesson as the red ball head coach following a dramatic restructuring of the squad after heavy defeats in the first two Tests of their tour of England. The Pakistan Cricket Board sent seven players home, including senior members Muhammad Rizwan, Imam ul Haq, and Salman Ali Agha, and replaced sacked head coach Sarfraz Ahmed with Hesson, who previously served as the white ball boss. Pakistan suffered an innings and 103 run loss at Headingley and a 194 run loss at Lord's, leaving them trailing 2 to 0 in the series.

Speaking at a media conference in Birmingham, Hesson clarified that the decision to release Rizwan, Imam, and Agha was made by management before he assumed the role. He noted that he was in Japan for the Asian Games when he was asked to manage the red ball squad. Hesson stated that his focus has been on creating a balanced squad with a bowling attack that offers variety, noting that Pakistan had not been able to present its typical pace and mystery spin during the series.

Regarding the team atmosphere, Hesson remarked that the players are probably more used to a little bit of chaos than he is. He acknowledged that the players have been incredibly disappointed but said they have responded well to the changes. Of the seven replacement players brought in for the final Test at Edgbaston, only Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have prior Test experience.