LONDON: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has asked white-ball head coach Mike Hesson to oversee the Test team for the third and final match against England at Edgbaston after Pakistan lost the series 2-0.
The decision came after a high-level meeting chaired by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in London, according to sources. England beat Pakistan by 194 runs in the second Test at Lord’s to take an unassailable lead in the three-match series.
Hesson, who is in England with high-performance director Aaqib Javed, is expected to join the Test team in the dressing room when the third match starts in Birmingham on September 9.
The move has also raised questions over the future of Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed. Sources said Sarfaraz and bowling coach Umar Gul could be removed from their positions after the team returns to Pakistan.
Hesson is also being considered for the Test head coach role on a permanent basis after the limited-overs matches on the tour. Former Australia bowling coach Ashley Noffke has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Gul.
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The PCB has also decided to send Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Salman Ali Agha back to Pakistan. Young players, including Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas, are expected to be added to the squad for the Edgbaston Test.
Pakistan have won only one of their six Tests under Sarfaraz’s coaching, while losing the other five. The run includes a 2-0 series defeat against Bangladesh.
The PCB has yet to officially confirm the reported changes.
The Edgbaston Test will be Pakistan’s final chance to avoid a clean sweep on their England tour.
