Pakistan Turn to Mike Hesson After Mid-Series Shake-Up

Mike Hesson has taken interim charge of Pakistan's Test team after a dramatic mid-series overhaul that has seen seven players sent home. The Guardian reported that Hesson, previously Pakistan's white-ball coach, was installed after the side fell 2-0 behind against England, leaving him to prepare a reshaped group for the third Test at Edgbaston next week.

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Hesson had been in Japan preparing for the Asian Games before travelling to Britain for a Pakistan Cricket Board engagement with King Charles. That short visit instead became a new assignment. After his first net session in charge, he acknowledged that the circumstances had been challenging and began holding individual meetings with the players who remained.

Three of the seven departing players — Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha — were told their tours were over immediately after the defeat at Lord's. Hesson said the decision was made by high performance director Aaqib Javed before he took charge and that he was not able to provide the precise reasons behind it.

Once appointed, Hesson assessed the balance of the remaining squad and approved four further changes. He cited Ali Usman's departure as an example, explaining that conditions in Birmingham were unlikely to require another spinner. Seven replacement players were being brought into the group, with three of them still due to arrive in Britain on Friday, according to The Guardian.

The interim coach said the revised selection was intended to give Pakistan more variety in their attack. He pointed to pace, unusual bowling actions and mystery spin as qualities traditionally associated with Pakistan, but said the team had not been able to present enough of those traits during the series. He also linked a clearer Test identity to both stability and an authentic style of play.

Hesson did not commit to remaining Pakistan's Test coach beyond the Edgbaston match. He also rejected a report that dropped players had been asked to remain for the royal reception to increase the delegation's numbers, saying the organisers had already been notified that the three initially released players would not attend. His immediate task is now to settle an altered squad and arrest Pakistan's slide in the final Test.