Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Hesson Says Pakistan Had Already Released Senior Players
Pakistan changed its cricket team during a difficult tour of England.
Three senior players—Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha—had already been sent home before Mike Hesson became the red-ball coach.
Hesson said he did not decide to release them.
He said he helped choose replacement players instead.
The Pakistan Cricket Board had sent seven players home after two big Test-match defeats.
The board also removed Sarfraz Ahmed as head coach.
Hesson had previously coached Pakistan’s limited-overs team.
He discussed the changes at a media conference in Birmingham.
Mike Hesson said Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha had already left Pakistan’s squad when he took charge.
Hesson said the decision to release the three players was not his.
He said he helped select replacements after the Pakistan Cricket Board sent seven players home from England.
The PCB took that step after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests.
The PCB also dismissed Sarfraz Ahmed and moved Hesson from the limited-overs setup to the red-ball head-coaching role.
- Who
- Mike Hesson, Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfraz Ahmed and the Pakistan Cricket Board were involved.
- What
- Pakistan released three senior players, sent seven players home and changed its coaching arrangements during the England tour.
- When
- The changes occurred before the final Test, with Hesson discussing them in Birmingham.
- Where
- The events took place during Pakistan’s tour of England; Hesson spoke in Birmingham.
- Why
- The Pakistan Cricket Board acted after heavy defeats in the first two Tests.
- New red-ball coach
- Mike Hesson
- Players already released
- Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha
- Players sent home
- Seven players were sent back from England.
- Trigger for changes
- Heavy defeats in the first two Tests.
- Former head coach
- Sarfraz Ahmed was dismissed by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
- Hesson’s previous role
- He had been head coach of Pakistan’s limited-overs setup.
- Location of comments
- Birmingham