Hesson suddenly takes charge of Pakistan's Test team, 'The last few days have been quite challenging'

Mike Hesson was busy with the Pakistan cricket team in the Asian Games in Japan. There were also plans to go to England, but not as Pakistan's white-ball coach - to attend a team event with King Charles. But the situation changed and he had to take charge of the Pakistan Test team in a hurry.

After losing the first two Tests of the series against England by a large margin, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) removed two coaches including head coach Sarfraz Ahmed. Seven cricketers were also dropped. As a result, Hesson will be in charge of Pakistan in the third and final Test of the series at Edgbaston.

After losing by an innings at Headingley and by 194 runs at Lord's, Pakistan cricket is in a state of turmoil. Hesson highlighted that situation in a press conference after taking charge.

He said, "I was mainly coming to see the King and attend the event. But the situation has changed quickly. The last few days have been quite challenging. I had to stay in a hotel where some players were coming and some players were leaving. After that, everyone came together.

Although the third Test had no impact on the outcome of the series, former Pakistan cricketers as well as former England cricketers have questioned the decision to drop seven cricketers before the match.

Regarding the mental state of the team's cricketers in such a situation, Hesson said, "The boys are probably a little more used to chaotic situations than I am. There is no doubt that they are very disappointed. But we have to put that disappointment aside and focus on our plan for the upcoming match. The boys have responded well to it in the last few days."

Among the seven cricketers who were dropped are Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan. However, he said that the decision to drop them was made before Hesson took charge.

Hesson said, "When I took charge, Rizwan, Imam and Salman Agha were dropped from the squad before that. Then my job was to create a balanced squad for the third Test."

A few cricketers who have not yet made their Test debuts have been included in the team for the third Test. Hesson's biggest challenge now is to create a new combination with them.

Meanwhile, there were reports that Salman Ali Agha had refused to meet King Charles. However, Hesson dismissed the matter as completely baseless.

In his words, 'People are just making up stories. Long before I arrived and met the King, three people were dropped from the squad. The message was sent that these three would not be present at the event.'

All in all, there has been a big change in the responsibilities of the Pakistan team in just a few days. Amidst the turmoil, the challenge now before Hesson is to turn around the shattered Pakistan team at Edgbaston.