Pakistan’s interim head coach Mike Hesson is aiming for a hard reset as he takes over the red-ball team following a massive mid-series rejig.
Hesson, leading their white-ball setup, has been tasked with coaching Pakistan’s Test team too after a change in their support staff. Their acrimonious tour of England now moves to third Test, with the tourists already 0-2 down. As many as seven players were released from the squad, with a new-look unit aiming to save face in Birmingham.
“The last couple of days have been challenging for being in a hotel with some players coming, some players going and then the arrival of everyone,” Hesson said, explaining the mood in the dressing room. “The guys are probably more used to a little bit of chaos than I am. There’s no doubt they have been disappointed, incredibly disappointed”.
Hesson admitted that he doesn’t have prior knowledge of how the current red-ball unit has been functioning, specifically their selection process. Last week, Cricbuzz reported that a show-cause notice was sent by the PCB to its own selectors, demanding an explanation on the selection of Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan.
“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,” Hesson admitted.
In a time of turmoil, Hesson wants to pivot the focus towards Pakistan’s traditional strengths.
“From my perspective, it’s about putting a balanced squad together, not only for this Test, so we actually have some variety in our attack,” he said.
“Pakistan is known for the pace, unusual actions, mystery spin, we haven’t really been able to present any of that”.
“From a bowling point of view, we have got to find some variety,” he said.
Despite two big defeats – one by an innings and 103 runs, and the other by 194 runs – Pakistan have found a silver lining in Mohammad Abbas, their veteran pacer, who’s taken 10 wickets at 20.80, the most for Pakistan in the series so far.
“We need a little bit of an x-factor in there as well to try and create some opportunities to support Mohammed Abbas, who’s done incredibly well,” Hesson said.
“I know all the players that are here now. Some I’ve worked with a bit, some I’ve said hello to a handful of times and watched them play.”
The third Test begins on Wednesday (September 9).
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