Interim head coach Mike Hesson has observed that the Pakistani side seems to have grown accustomed to a certain degree of disorder as they strive to finish a challenging tour of England on a positive note in the final Test. After a tumultuous week that saw a dramatic reshuffle of the squad, Hesson is now looking for that elusive "x‑factor" that could turn the tide.
The series has been anything but smooth for Pakistan. Following a heavy 194‑run defeat at Lord's – which came on the heels of an innings loss at Headingley – the team found themselves trailing 2‑0 with only one Test remaining at Edgbaston, scheduled to begin on 9 September.
In response, the management made sweeping changes: seven players were dropped and seven new faces were called up, five of whom have never played a Test before. This massive overhaul was not limited to the playing XI; white‑ball coach Hesson was also promoted to the Test role after Sarfaraz Ahmed was relieved of his duties.
Speaking to the press in Birmingham on Friday, Hesson, who previously spent six years coaching his native New Zealand from 2012 to 2018, admitted the situation was "pretty challenging". He added, "The guys are probably more used to a little bit of chaos than I am. There is no doubt they have been incredibly disappointed, but we have to set that aside and ask ourselves where we go from here.
They've shown a lot of resilience over the past couple of days." 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 Leeds when 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 throughout the series. Observers have noted the absence of a genuine pace spearhead and a wrist spinner, both of which are traditionally hallmarks of Pakistani cricket.
Hesson addressed these concerns directly, stating, "I don't think anyone wants such a disruption mid‑series. From my perspective, the priority is to assemble a balanced group, not just for this Test but with an eye on the future. Pakistan is renowned for its raw pace, unconventional actions and mystery spin, yet we haven't been able to showcase any of that lately. We need a little bit of an x‑factor to generate opportunities and to back up Mohammed Abbas, who has performed admirably under pressure." The coach also dismissed rumors that Salman Ali Agha had declined an invitation to meet King Charles at Clarence House after being dropped.
Hesson clarified that the three players who were removed – Agha, Imam‑ul‑Haq and Rizwan – were taken off the attendee list before the invitation was sent, and any suggestion otherwise was fabricated. "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 informed that these three would not attend. Someone has just made something up.
That's unacceptable journalism." Former Pakistan coach and former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie weighed in on the wave of dismissals, commenting to The Australian that the players' livelihoods were at stake. "From the outside it looks like they are playing with fear," Gillespie said. He highlighted the bewildering rapidity with which Salman went from captaining the side in the first Test to being excluded from the second and then sent home before the third.
"If you want consistency on the field there needs to be consistency off the field – at board level, selection and coaching. The talent is there, comparable to any nation, but the players need proper support off the field," he added. As the third Test approaches, Pakistan will need to harness any remaining strengths and inject fresh energy into their lineup. The inclusion of uncapped players offers a chance for new talent to make an impact, while the experienced core must rediscover the rhythm that once made them a formidable force in England.
The series has highlighted both the volatility of international cricket and the pressure on coaching staff to make swift, decisive changes. Fans can catch the opening day of the Edgbaston encounter live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, with the first ball scheduled for 11 am BST on Wednesday, 9 September.
For those without a Sky subscription, streaming options are available through NOW TV, which offers contract‑free access to the match. All other games in the series will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports, ensuring cricket enthusiasts can follow every twist and turn of this compelling contest.