Pakistan’s interim Test coach,
The controversy stemmed from a report published by The Telegraph, which alleged that a player omitted from the Pakistan Test squad had declined the opportunity to attend the royal engagement. Hesson, however, clarified that the decision regarding the player's attendance was administrative and had been finalised well before the event took place at Buckingham Palace.
Clarifying the squad selection and royal visit
Hesson explained that Salman Ali Agha, alongside teammates Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan, had been released from the Test squad prior to his own arrival as interim coach. Consequently, these three players were removed from the official list of attendees for the visit to Clarence House. The coach emphasised that the players were notified of their exclusion from the royal visit at the time they were released from the squad.
The coach expressed frustration with the narrative, stating that the media had erroneously connected unrelated events. He noted that the remaining members of the squad, along with himself in his capacity as the white-ball head coach, were already on the confirmed list of attendees. According to Hesson, there were no last-minute changes or refusals, and the process was entirely straightforward.
Context of Pakistan's tour changes
The confusion surrounding the squad's activities follows a period of significant upheaval for the Pakistan team. After suffering heavy defeats in the first two Tests against England—losing by an innings and 103 runs at Headingley and by 194 runs at Lord's—the
As part of these drastic measures, seven players were sent home, including senior figures such as Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha, who had captained the side during the first Test at Headingley in the absence of Babar Azam. The board subsequently called up seven replacements and appointed Hesson to take charge of the Test side, adding to his existing responsibilities as the white-ball head coach.
