Mike Hesson and Mohsin Naqvi- (Source: AFP)
A lot has happened in Pakistan cricket over the last couple of weeks. The Babar Azam-led side lost two Tests to England, but the off-field drama has been the centre of attraction amid the team's underwhelming returns on the field. It all started with Imam-ul-Haq’s injury and his refusal to bat at Lord’s.
Imam’s theatrics opened a debate whether he faked his injury. It led to widespread criticism and even Pakistani experts called out the southpaw for his act. The PCB opened an investigation and recalled 7 players from the squad including Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha.
Mike Hesson was summoned urgently to coach Pakistan in last Test vs England
The axe didn’t only fall on the above-mentioned seven players, but Pakistan’s Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed also made way for Mike Hesson. Notably, Hesson has been associated with Pakistan as their white-ball coach and has been asked to take over their red-ball reins as an interim coach.
Mike Hesson was with the Pakistan team in Japan preparing for the Asian Games 2026 and was asked to fly back to Lahore before leaving for England to coach the team for the 3rd Test. In the latest events, Hesson spoke to the press, where he opened up on the recent crisis in Pakistan cricket and also accused the PCB of keeping him in the dark.
Mike Hesson Defends Salman Ali Agha, Accuses PCB Of Keeping Him in the Dark
In the press conference, Hesson confirmed that he was unaware of the recent developments in Pakistan cricket and didn’t know about the players being sent home. Hesson remarked that he learned about the players being sent back to Pakistan only through news articles.
Also Read: End Of The Road For Aaqib Javed! Mohsin Naqvi's PCB Plans Major Overhaul
Hesson remarked that he is not part of the selection panel and is, in fact, shocked to see Salman Ali Agha being sent back home. For the unversed, Hesson rates Agha highly, and it is under his current tenure that the right-handed batter was appointed as Pakistan’s T20I captain.
"I don't know the details of why they've been removed. I've read what you guys have read; I've heard those things. I think Salman Ali Agha has been one of the best players for the last couple of years. He's had probably three poor Tests, but he's a fine player. And I think he's obviously disappointed to not be involved. The other two were removed before I was involved," Mike Hesson remarked.
Why would it Be Challenging For Mike Hesson To Switch To Red-ball Cricket?
In the same interaction with the media, Hesson remarked that he is not part of Pakistan’s red-ball selection panel. Hence, the players he has been given with for the 3rd Test is not his selection and say.
"Up until now, I haven't been involved in red-ball cricket [in Pakistan] at all, so I'm not part of the selection panel. I'm part of the white-ball selection panel. When this side was selected for this tour, I had no involvement at all. When I took over, three players had already left the squad: Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Salman Ali Agha,” Hesson added.
Further, as Hesson remarked, he has been associated with white-ball cricket for a long time now. The last major red-ball assignment for Hesson was with New Zealand in 2012. Therefore, it will be tough for Mike Hesson to switch to red-ball cricket.
Also Read: Real Reason For Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan's Pakistan Snub Revealed
