Interim Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson is aiming for a significantly improved performance in next week’s third and final Test in Birmingham, despite the turmoil surrounding his drastically revamped squad. Pakistan currently trails 2-0 in the three-match series following an innings and 103-run defeat at Headingley and a 194-run loss at Lord’s last Sunday.
In response to these heavy defeats, the Pakistan Cricket Board initiated a major shake-up, dismissing Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and replacing him with Hesson, who already serves as the team’s white-ball coach. The board also took the drastic action of sending seven players home and calling up seven replacements. Among those released were senior figures Imam-ul Haq and Salman Ali Agha, the latter of whom captained the side at Headingley while Babar Azam was sidelined with an injury. The departures also included seamer Khurram Shahzad and left-arm spinner Ali Usman, who had previously secured a five-wicket haul at Headingley.
The incoming group features only two players with prior Test experience, batsmen Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal. Despite the disruption, Hesson believes the group can unify before the Test begins at Edgbaston on September 9.
Hesson, a New Zealander, was originally in Japan preparing for the Asian Games and only planned to travel to the UK for a scheduled meeting with King Charles on Wednesday. “I was heading over to see the King and be part of a nice occasion. That got expedited,” Hesson explained to reporters at Edgbaston on Friday.
Describing the recent atmosphere, the coach noted the difficulty of managing a revolving door of players in the hotel. “The guys are probably more used to a little bit of chaos than I am. There is no doubt they have been disappointed, incredibly disappointed,” he said. “We have had to park that and go ‘righto, where to from here?’ They have been really good over the past couple of days.”
Hesson expressed his disapproval of such drastic changes occurring mid-series but emphasized the need to build a balanced team. He noted that his priority is to restore variety to the bowling attack, pointing out that Pakistan is traditionally known for its pace, mystery spin, and unusual bowling actions—elements he feels the team has failed to showcase thus far. The report also notes that hesson, however, feels the whole squad can now unite and give a better account of themselves when the third Test at Edgbaston starts on Sept.9.
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