Key Takeaways
- Interim head coach Mike Hesson aims to improve Pakistan's performance in the third Test against England.
- Seven players were sent home and seven new players were called up following the first two Test losses.
- Hesson feels the squad can unite and give a better account of themselves in the upcoming match.
Interim Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson is hoping his drastically revamped squad can overcome the 'chaos' that followed the team's recent shake-up and deliver a better performance in the third Test against England, set to begin on September 9 in Birmingham.
The Pakistan Cricket Board responded to the team's poor showing in the first two Tests by sending seven players home and calling up seven new ones, including two with limited Test experience. The team suffered an innings and 103-run loss in the first Test at Headingley and a 194-run defeat at Lord’s, which gave England a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Among those sent home were senior players Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, who were Pakistan's captain at Headingley when Babar Azam was injured. Left-arm spin bowler Ali Usman, who claimed a five-wicket haul at Headingley, and seamer Khurram Shahzad were also among those who left the team.
Hesson, who had been in Japan preparing for the Asian Games, was only due to travel to the UK for the squad's audience with King Charles, which took place on Wednesday. However, the situation got expedited, and he arrived at Edgbaston on Friday.
Speaking to reporters, Hesson acknowledged the challenges of the situation, stating, 'The last couple of days have been challenging for being in a hotel with some players coming, some players going and then the arrival of everyone.'
Despite the upheaval, Hesson remains optimistic, saying, '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. 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's focus is on putting together a balanced squad, not only for this Test but for the future. He added, 'I don’t think anyone wants this to happen in the middle of a series. From my perspective, it is about putting a balanced squad together, not only for this Test, so we actually have some variety in our attack.'
Pakistan is known for its pace and unusual actions, but Hesson feels the team has not been able to present these qualities in recent matches. He hopes that with the new squad, the team can showcase its strengths and improve its performance.
The third Test against England is crucial for Pakistan, and Hesson is determined to guide the team through this challenging period. 'We have to be positive and move forward,' he concluded.
The last couple of days have been challenging for being in a hotel with some players coming, some players going and then the arrival of everyone.
Mike Hesson, Interim head coach of Pakistan
I don’t think anyone wants this to happen in the middle of a series.
Mike Hesson, Interim head coach of Pakistan
