Pakistan interim Test coach Mike Hesson has dismissed reports claiming Salman Ali Agha refused an invitation to meet King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. Hesson clarified that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had released the batter from the Test squad before the royal engagement took place.
Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, are trailing 2-0 in the three-match Test series against England. After heavy defeats at Headingley and Lord’s, the Pakistan Cricket Board made major changes to the squad and coaching staff ahead of the third and final Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham, starting on Wednesday, September 9.
Mike Hesson Clarifies Salman Ali Agha’s Absence
According to reports, Salman Ali Agha deliberately skipped the meeting with the British monarch to protest his mid-series dismissal. However, Mike Hesson said that Agha, along with Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, had already been released from the Test squad.
Agha stayed back in England after being released, while Rizwan and Imam returned home. Four other released players — Aamer Jamal, Ali Usman, Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad — attended the event, which led to speculation about Agha’s absence.
“Look, I know there’s been a void in the news, but people are just making up stories. Salman Ali Agha, as I’ve said, the three players were released from the squad before I arrived, well before Buckingham Palace,” Hesson said. “They were sent a note at that time that these three players would not be attending Buckingham Palace. So, someone’s just made something up,” he added.
Mike Hesson Calls Reports ‘Unacceptable Journalism’
Mike Hesson also dismissed suggestions that Pakistan had changed the guest list at the last minute. He said all players who remained in the squad were already scheduled to attend the royal engagement. The New Zealander added that the reports about Agha’s absence were based on incorrect assumptions.
“In terms of the other players, all of the rest of the players that were in the squad were already on the list. I was already on the list as the white-ball head coach, so there have been no changes to it,” he said.
“It was all very straightforward. Someone’s just got two and two together and come up with nine. For me, that’s unacceptable journalism,” Hesson said.
Pakistan Make Major Changes Ahead of Edgbaston Test
Pakistan lost the first Test at Headingley by an innings and 103 runs before suffering a 194-run defeat at Lord’s. The back-to-back losses gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to make major changes.
The board released seven players from the touring squad, including Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Aamer Jamal, Ali Usman, Awais Zafar, and Khurram Shahzad. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also removed from their roles.
Mike Hesson has taken charge of the Test team for the final match. Pakistan have also called up Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, while Razaullah Khan, Mohammad Imran, Arafat Minhas, and Rohail Nazir have been added to the squad subject to visa clearance.
