'Can't carry a finger spinner that's...': Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson on why Ali Usman was sent home despite Leeds fifer

After a chaotic few days following the Lord's Test defeat, Pakistan are preparing for the third and final Test of the series against England. With head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul sacked, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has taken over. Ahead of the Headingley Test, Hesson explained the call to drop spinner Ali Usman, one of the seven players sent home as part of major overhaul of Test squad.

Usman made his Test debut on West Indies tour in July. He was wicketless on debut but bagged six wickets in the next, including a four-fer. He retained his place in the side for the England tour. In the practice game, he claimed six wickets including a fifer in the second. Then, he registered a five-wicket haul in a losing cause at Headingley, Leeds, in first Test. But, he could take just one wicket in Lord's Test and became one among the seven players released from the squad.

“I think Ali Usman is a quality bowler. I think you've seen the conditions over here in the UK," Hesson said.

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"You've looked up and you've seen the sky. And the ability to play a fingerspinner in a playing XI in England at this time of year who doesn't bat is unlikely. Usman, in different conditions around the world where he's one of the primary bowlers, could well still be in the mix moving forward.

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"But over here, we can't carry a fingerspinner that's going to bowl two overs in innings who can't contribute either with the bat or in the field."

Hesson did not close the door for 33-year-old Usman who averages over 25 from four Tests with 12 wickets. However, Hesson’s need for an all-rounder is valid considering the way their batting lineup has performed so far on English tour. He has managed to score just 36 runs from seven innings so far.

Who has replaced Usman?

However, Usman could’ve played a crucial role in Headingley Test as spinners tend to get assistance from the surface. Usman has been replaced by 21-year-old Arafat Minhas in the squad. He is yet to make his Test debut but has represented Pakistan in three Tests and four ODIs.

His first class record is impressive with the bat, scoring 941 runs from 17 games at an average of 32.44, including a ton and four fifties. However, with the ball, he has 22 wickets at an average of 32.36. He is yet to take a fifer in the format.

Pakistan’s squad for 3rd Test vs England

Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk) Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique, Ubaid Shah.