Interim head coach Mike Hesson has observed that the Pakistani side seems to have grown accustomed to a degree of turbulence as they strive to finish a disappointing tour of England on a positive note in the final Test. The series has been marked by a series of dramatic changes, with seven players dropped and seven new faces added – five of whom have never played a Test – after a crushing 194‑run defeat at Lord's that followed an innings loss at Headingley.
This left Pakistan trailing 2‑0 with only the Edgbaston Test remaining, scheduled to begin on September 9. The overhaul extended beyond the playing eleven. Hesson, previously the white‑ball coach, was promoted to the Test role after Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed from the head‑coach position. Hesson, who spent six years coaching his home country New Zealand between 2012 and 2018, addressed the press in Birmingham on Friday, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation.
"It’s been pretty challenging. The guys are probably more used to a little bit of chaos than I am," he said. He added that the players were understandably disappointed, but that the team needed to set those feelings aside and focus on the path forward. "We have had to park that and go ‘right, where to from here?’ They have been really good the past couple of days," he continued.
Among the seven players who were cut, four had featured in both of the opening Tests: opener Imam‑ul‑Haq, wicket‑keeper Mohammad Rizwan, spinner Ali Usman and fast bowler Khurram Shahzad. Salman Ali Agha, who captained the side in the Leeds Test while Babar Azam was sidelined with injury, was also omitted from the Lord's squad. The lack of variety in Pakistan’s bowling attack has been a recurring criticism, with commentators pointing out the absence of a genuine express pacer and a quality wrist spinner. Hesson emphasized the need for balance and variety in the squad, not just for the immediate Test but for the longer term.
"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," he explained.
He noted that Pakistan is traditionally known for its pace, unconventional actions, and mysterious spin, but the current unit has struggled to showcase those hallmarks. "We need a little bit of X‑factor in there to try and create opportunities, to support Mohammed Abbas who’s done incredibly well," Hesson added.
The coach also dismissed rumors that Salman Ali Agha refused to attend a meeting with King Charles at Clarence House after being dropped. According to Hesson, Agha, along with Imam and Rizwan, were removed from the list of attendees when the squad changes were announced, and no invitation was sent to them. "I know there’s been a void in the news but people are just making up stories," the 51‑year‑old said.
"Three players were released from the squad before I arrived and well before the reception. The organisers were sent a note at the time that these three players will not be attending.
Someone has just made something up. That’s unacceptable journalism." Former Pakistan coach and Australian fast‑bowler Jason Gillespie weighed in on the situation, describing it as unsettling for the players whose livelihoods are at stake.
In an interview with The Australian, Gillespie said, "I feel for the players – this is these guys' livelihoods. From the outside it looks like they are playing with fear.
Salman goes from captaining the team in the first Test to being out of the team for the second Test and on the plane home before the third Test. How does that work? If you want consistency on the field there needs to be consistency off the field. That goes to board level, selection and coaching level.
The talent there is as good as anywhere in the world. These players just need support off the field." The upcoming third Test at Edgbaston offers Pakistan a chance to reset and possibly end the tour on a more respectable note. While the odds are stacked against them after two heavy defeats, the infusion of fresh talent and the strategic adjustments promised by Hesson could provide the spark the side needs.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, with the first ball scheduled for 11 a.m. For viewers without a Sky subscription, streaming options are available through NOW, which offers contract‑free access to the game. Overall, the series has highlighted the volatility that can arise when a team faces consecutive setbacks, prompting swift and sweeping changes from the management.
Hesson’s acknowledgment of the chaotic environment, coupled with his focus on rebuilding a balanced attack and injecting an X‑factor, reflects a pragmatic approach aimed at salvaging pride for Pakistan. Whether the new players can adapt quickly enough to the English conditions and whether the revamped bowling unit can deliver the missing speed and spin will be key factors in determining the outcome of the final Test. The cricketing world will be watching closely to see if the chaos can be turned into a catalyst for improvement, or if it will simply underscore the challenges Pakistan faces on foreign soil.