Hesson aims to steady Pakistan after Test shake-up

Interim Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson remains optimistic that his newly changed team has the potential to overcome the "chaos" they now face and deliver a superior performance against England in the third and final Test at Birmingham. Pakistan suffered a significant defeat of 103 runs in the first Test at Headingley, followed by another loss of 194 runs at Lord's, leaving them trailing 2-0 in the three-match series.

In response to these setbacks, the Pakistan Cricket Board made drastic changes to the lineup, sending seven players home, calling up another seven, and replacing former Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed with Hesson, who already oversees Pakistan's limited-overs teams. Notable absences included senior players Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, with left-arm spinner Ali Usman and seamer Khurram Shahzad also departing.

Of the seven replacements, only batsmen Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal possess Test experience. Hesson, however, is confident that the entire squad can now come together and secure a better outcome when the Test starts at Edgbaston on September 9. The New Zealander recently returned from Japan, where he had been preparing for the Asian Games, and was only scheduled to travel to the UK for the team's audience with King Charles, which occurred on Wednesday.

Hesson told reporters at Edgbaston that the recent changes have been challenging, but acknowledges that the players involved have likely been disappointed. He emphasizes that the team must now focus on finding a way forward and building a balanced squad, capable of utilizing variety in their attack, as Pakistan is renowned for its pace, unconventional actions, and unique spin bowling.