‘Weren’t My Decisions’: Hesson Breaks Silence on Sarfaraz, Umar Gul Removals

Sports Desk

BIRMINGHAM: Pakistan’s interim red-ball head coach Mike Hesson has distanced himself from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) recent decision to remove Sarfaraz Ahmed and Umar Gul from their coaching roles, stressing that the changes had been made before he was appointed to lead the Test side.

Hesson made the comments as Pakistan prepare for the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston, with the visitors trailing 2-0 in the series after suffering defeats in Leeds and Lord’s.

The PCB made sweeping changes to the Test squad after the first two matches, releasing seven players and bringing in five uncapped players, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jr, Razaullah and wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig, along with Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal.

The reshuffle also saw former red-ball head coach Umar Gul and Sarfaraz Ahmed released from their respective positions, with Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke subsequently handed interim charge of the Test side.

Hesson, however, made it clear that he was not involved in the decisions and said his focus was now on assembling a balanced squad for the must-win encounter at Edgbaston from September 9 to 13.

“I don't think anyone wants these sorts of things to happen in the middle of a series. Clearly not. Those decisions have been made and, from my perspective, it's a matter of putting a balanced squad together. Whether I'm involved or not, for this Test we need to have some variety in our attack,” Hesson said during recent media conference. The New Zealander believes the influx of younger players could help Pakistan rediscover the distinctive qualities that have historically set their cricket apart, particularly in the bowling department.

“Pakistan are known for pace, unusual actions and mystery spin. We haven't really been able to present any of that. We've picked some young players who haven't had three, four or five years of experience, but they have a point of difference,” he stated. Hesson added that providing opportunities to players with different skill sets could help Pakistan establish a clearer identity in Test cricket.

“If they get an opportunity to play, then there'll be a chance for us to show some of the skills that Pakistan have. I think there's been talk about having an identity as a Test team, and I think that does come from stability, for sure, but it also comes from being authentic to the way your team plays. We have to get back to that,” he added.

The coaching changes have attracted particular attention given Gul’s experience as a former Pakistan fast bowler and his work with the national team’s pace attack. While Hesson acknowledged Gul’s credentials, he said the coaching structure had been altered with a view to supporting the development of younger bowlers. “Umar Gul is a wonderful bowler. He’s probably one of the greats. But we’ve had to look at how we can support the new bowlers coming through, the young bowlers. Certainly, they’ve worked incredibly well with Ashley Noffke over the last few weeks,” he stated. Hesson subsequently underlined that he had inherited the situation rather than initiated the changes involving the former members of the coaching staff.

“But those decisions were also made. They weren’t my decisions. Sarfaraz and Umar Gul were removed, and I was asked to come in and take over. So those are questions that are not for me to answer,” he concluded.