Hesson Dismisses Salman Agha Snub Story, Slams English Media
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson refutes claims that Salman Ali Agha refused to meet King Charles, calling the report 'completely false' and 'unacceptable journalism'.
Pakistan's head coach Mike Hesson has strongly denied allegations that discarded all-rounder Salman Ali Agha deliberately skipped an audience with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. A UK-based publication had claimed that Agha refused the royal invitation as a form of protest against the Pakistan Cricket Board, but Hesson has rubbished the story, labeling it a fabrication by the English media.
Hesson explained that Agha, along with Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan, was informed well in advance that he would not be part of the palace visit. All three players had been released from Pakistan's Test squad during the tour of England before Hesson took charge, and they received official notification that they were excluded from the Buckingham Palace guest list.
Addressing the matter on Friday, Hesson said, "People are just making up stories. These three players were released from the squad before I arrived, well before Buckingham Palace. A note was sent to them at that time." He also confirmed that no last-minute changes occurred, stressing that the rest of the squad and he himself had already been on the attendance list. "There have been no changes to it," he added, dismissing the controversy as baseless.