Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Hesson Denies Salman Agha Refused King Charles Meeting
Some reports said Salman Ali Agha refused to meet King Charles III.
They suggested he was protesting after being removed from Pakistan's Test squad.
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson said this was not true.
He explained that Agha and two other players had already been released before the event.
They were told ahead of time that they would not attend.
Hesson said the other players were already invited.
He also said nobody changed the guest list at the last minute.
The controversy happened after Pakistan lost its first two Tests against England.
Pakistan's third Test is scheduled for September 9 in Birmingham.
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson denied reports that Salman Ali Agha refused to meet King Charles III.
Hesson said Agha, Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq were released before the royal event and told they would not attend.
He said the remaining Pakistan squad members were already on the guest list, with no last-minute changes.
The reports emerged after Pakistan released seven players and removed two coaches following heavy Test defeats.
Pakistan trail England 2-0, with the third Test scheduled to begin in Birmingham on September 9.
- Who
- Pakistan coach Mike Hesson, Salman Ali Agha, other Pakistan players and King Charles III.
- What
- Hesson denied that Agha refused or deliberately skipped a royal meeting.
- When
- The event took place on September 2; the third Test is scheduled to begin on September 9.
- Where
- The articles identify the event venue differently as Clarence House and Buckingham Palace; the third Test is in Birmingham.
- Why
- The speculation followed Agha's removal, along with six other players, from Pakistan's Test squad after two defeats by England.
Reported Snub
Coach's Rebuttal
Reason for Agha's absence
Reported Snub
Reports suggested Salman Ali Agha deliberately skipped the meeting as a protest against being removed from Pakistan's Test squad.
Coach's Rebuttal
Mike Hesson said Agha had already been released and was told in advance that he would not attend.
Guest-list changes
Reported Snub
Agha's absence after the squad shake-up was presented as possible evidence of a refusal or exclusion.
Coach's Rebuttal
Hesson said there were no last-minute changes and that the other squad members were already on the guest list.
Reliability of the reports
Reported Snub
The reports connected Agha's absence with Pakistan's decision to send seven players home or out of the Test squad.
Coach's Rebuttal
Hesson called the reports made up and described the conclusion as unacceptable journalism.
- Series position
- Pakistan trail England 2-0 in a three-match Test series.
- Players released
- The seven released players were Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Aamir Jamal, Muhammad Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad.
- Coaching changes
- Pakistan removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul; Mike Hesson took charge for the third Test.
- Hesson's explanation
- Hesson said Agha, Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq were released before he arrived and were informed they would not attend the event.
- Guest list
- Hesson said the remaining squad members were already listed and that there were no last-minute changes.
- Event date
- The royal engagement was reported to have taken place on September 2.
- Venue discrepancy
- One article names Clarence House, while another identifies Buckingham Palace as the venue.
