Interim head coach Mike Hesson says Pakistan are used to a “a little bit of chaos” as they aim to end a sobering tour of England on a high in the final Test after a week of dramatic upheaval.
Seven players were dropped and seven more called up – five of whom are uncapped – after the 194-run hammering at Lord’s, which followed an innings defeat at Headingley, left Pakistan 2-0 down with just one match to play, at Edgbaston from September 9.
The drastic changes were not only limited to the playing staff with white-ball coach Hesson handed the Test gig after Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed from his post.
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Watch the best of day four at Lord’s as England thumped Pakistan by 194 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series
Hesson, whose previous coaching roles include a six-year stint with his native New Zealand from 2012-18, told reporters in Birmingham on Friday: “It’s been pretty challenging. The guys are probably more used to a little bit of chaos than I am.
“There is no doubt they have been incredibly disappointed. We have had to park that and go ‘right, where to from here?’ They have been really good the past couple of days.”
‘I don’t think anyone wants this to happen in the middle of a series’
Of the seven players Pakistan released, four played in both of the first two Tests against England in opener Imam-ul-Haq, wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, spinner Ali Usman and seamer Khurram Shahzad.
Salman Ali Agha featured in the Leeds Test, captaining the side in place of the then-injured Babar Azam, before being left out of the drubbing at Lord’s.
Imam-ul-Haq is one of the seven players axed by Pakistan ahead of the series finale against England
Pakistan’s lack of variety in the bowling attack has been one of the criticisms aimed at them, with the unit lacking a seamer of real speed as well as a wrist-spinner.
Hesson 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 the pace, unusual actions, mystery spin – we haven’t really been able to present any of that.
“We need a little bit of x-factor in there to try and create opportunities, to support Mohammed Abbas who’s done incredibly well.”
‘People are just making up stories’
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Salman Ali Agha took this screamer of a catch at slip to remove Jordan Cox on day one the second Test between England and Pakistan at Lord’s after coming on as substitute fielder
Hesson also rubbished reports that Salman refused to attend Wednesday’s meeting with King Charles at Clarence House after being dropped, saying that as he, Imam and Rizwan had been axed first, their names were removed from the list of attendees.
“I know there’s been a void in the news but people are just making up stories,” said the 51-year-old.
“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. Someone has put two and two together and come up with nine. For me, that’s unacceptable journalism.”
Sarfaraz Ahmed was removed as Pakistan head coach with Mike Hesson in charge for the final Test in Birmingham
Speaking about the raft of removals from the squad, former Pakistan coach and Australia seam bowler Jason Gillespie said in The Australian newspaper: “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.”
Watch day one of the third Test between England and Pakistan, from Edgbaston, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am on Wednesday September 9 (11am first ball). Not got Sky? Sky Sports deals or stream contract-free with NOW.
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