Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has clarified that he had no involvement in selecting the Test squad for the ongoing tour of England, saying he only took charge of the red-ball side after several players had already left the camp.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made significant changes to the squad ahead of the third Test at Edgbaston, scheduled for September 9 to 13, following Pakistan’s defeats in the opening two matches in Leeds and Lord’s.
Seven players were released from the squad, while replacements were brought in as the team looks to bounce back in the final Test.
Hesson says he was not part of Test selection panel
Changes were also made to Pakistan’s coaching setup, with Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul released from their respective roles.
Hesson and Ashley Noffke, who are part of Pakistan’s white-ball coaching setup, will now oversee the team for the third Test.
Speaking to the media, Hesson said he was not part of the red-ball selection panel when the squad for the England tour was originally selected.
“I’ve never been involved in red-ball cricket at all, so I’m not part of the selection panel. I’m part of the white-ball selection panel,” Hesson said.
Hesson inherited difficult situation
The New Zealand coach said he inherited a challenging situation when he took over the red-ball side, with several players already having departed the squad.
“When this side was selected for this tour, I had no involvement at all. When I took over, there were three players who had already left the squad: Rizwan, Imam and Salman Ali Agha,” he said.
Hesson explained that the departures meant changes were necessary as Pakistan prepared for the third Test.
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Focus on building balanced squad
The interim red-ball coach said his immediate priority was to put together a balanced combination capable of competing in the conditions expected at Edgbaston.
“From there, it was a matter of trying to find a balanced squad for us for the third Test,” Hesson said.
He added that Pakistan needed a combination that would give its bowling attack the best possible opportunity to compete effectively in the prevailing conditions.
“That was the starting point,” he said.
Hesson distances himself from original squad composition
Hesson acknowledged that he had spoken with the players who remained at the team hotel after he took charge.
However, he reiterated that he should not be held responsible for the original composition of the Test squad because he was not involved in its selection.
“Those who were still in the hotel, I had a chance to talk to them. But, as I said, I hadn’t been involved in picking them in the first place,” he said.
Third Test presents fresh challenge
Hesson admitted that the situation had been difficult for everyone, particularly for players arriving and leaving the squad at short notice.
“It’s a really difficult situation for everybody, for those coming in and those leaving,” he said.
He added that the team had to quickly shift its attention towards preparations for the third Test.
Pakistan will face England in the third Test at Edgbaston from September 9 to 13, with the visitors looking to avoid a series whitewash after losing the first two matches.
