Interim head coach Mike Hesson has observed that the Pakistani side appears to be accustomed to a degree of disorder as they strive to finish a difficult tour of England on a positive note in the concluding Test. The series has already seen a dramatic reshuffle: after a crushing 194‑run defeat at Lord's that followed an innings loss at Headingley, Pakistan found themselves trailing 2‑0 with only the final Test at Edgbaston remaining, scheduled to begin on September 9. In response to the heavy defeats, the management made sweeping changes.
Seven players were dropped from the squad and seven new faces were called up, five of whom have never before played international cricket. The overhaul was not limited to the playing XI; the white‑ball coach, Hesson, was promoted to the Test coaching role after the removal of Sarfaraz Ahmed from that position. Hesson, who previously spent six years coaching his native New Zealand between 2012 and 2018, addressed the press in Birmingham on Friday, saying, "It has been quite a challenge.
The lads are probably more used to a little bit of chaos than I am. There is no doubt they are deeply disappointed, but we have to set that aside and ask ourselves where we go from here. They have shown a lot of resilience over the past couple of days." Of the seven players who were cut, four featured in both of the first two 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 when Babar Azam was sidelined with injury, was also omitted from the Lord's match. The lack of variety in Pakistan's bowling attack has been a recurring criticism; observers have noted the absence of a genuine quick‑bowling spearhead and a wrist‑spinner to complement the existing options. Hesson elaborated on his selection philosophy, stating, "I don’t think anyone wants to make such sweeping changes in the middle of a series, but from my perspective the priority is to assemble a balanced squad that offers variety, not just for this Test but for the future. Pakistan is renowned for its pace, unorthodox actions and mystery spin, yet we have struggled to showcase those attributes lately.
We need an X‑factor to generate chances and to back up Mohammed Abbas, who has performed admirably under pressure." The coach also dismissed rumors that Salman Ali Agha had refused to attend a meeting with King Charles at Clarence House after being dropped. Hesson clarified that Agha, along with Imam and Rizwan, were removed from the squad before the invitation list was finalized, so their names never appeared on the guest list.
"There has been a lot of speculation in the media, but it is simply unfounded. Three players were released from the squad before I arrived, and the organizers were informed that they would not be attending. To fabricate a story like that is, in my view, unacceptable journalism," the 51‑year‑old coach said.
Former Pakistan coach and former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie weighed in on the situation in an interview with The Australian, expressing sympathy for the players whose careers are at stake. "It looks like they are playing with fear," Gillespie observed.
"Salman went from captaining the side in the first Test to being out of the squad for the second and on a flight home before the third. Consistency on the field requires consistency off the field – at the board, selection and coaching levels. The talent in Pakistan is world‑class; what they need is proper support off the pitch." The third Test at Edgbaston promises to be a decisive encounter. Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event starting at 10 a.m.
on Wednesday, September 9 (11 a.m. local time for the first ball).
For those without a Sky subscription, streaming options are available through NOW TV or other contract‑free services. The match offers Pakistan a final chance to demonstrate resilience, integrate fresh talent, and perhaps rediscover the spark that has made their cricket so compelling over the decades.