{
  "id": 5592953,
  "title": "‘Don’t know what happened there’: New coach Hesson on Pakistan releasing Rizwan, Imam and Agha",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/dont-know-what-happened-there-new-coach-hesson-on-pakistan-releasing",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-04T16:16:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/pakistan-cricket-coach-mike-hesson-engalnd-3rd-test-rizwan-imam-10863677/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan's new red ball head coach Mike Hesson revealed that senior players Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha had already been released by the management before he took on the role. Hesson, who was previously the head coach of the limited overs setup, found himself in a difficult position when he was asked to manage the red-ball squad after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released seven players from England following poor performances in the first two Tests. Hesson expressed his confusion over the situation, stating that he didn't know what had happened. He emphasized the need to bring balance to the squad, focusing on a bowling attack with variety and including a couple of all-rounders. Although Agha was criticized for being dropped as the team captain in the first Test, Hesson stated that the team's response to the changes has been positive. Despite the challenging circumstances, Hesson expressed his satisfaction with the team's adaptability and their commitment to moving forward.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Senior players Rizwan, Imam, Agha released before Hesson's appointment",
    "Hesson unfamiliar with PCB's decision to release players",
    "Team responds positively to Hesson's changes, shows adaptability"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Coach Hesson says Pakistan players are more used to the ‘chaos’ than he is",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/coach-hesson-says-pakistan-players-are-more-used-to-the-chaos-than-he",
        "published": "2026-09-04T15:38:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Pakistan Coach Mike Hesson Denies Salman Ali Agha Snubbed King Charles Meeting; Says Reports Were 'Made Up'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/pakistan-coach-mike-hesson-denies-salman-ali-agha-snubbed-king",
        "published": "2026-09-04T16:58:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}