Hesson, Aqib to join Pakistan team at King Charles reception

Pakistan white-ball coach Mike Hesson and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director High Performance and senior selector Aqib Javed have travelled to London to attend a special reception and dinner being hosted by King Charles for the Pakistan cricket team on September 2, a PCB source said. The event will take place at the Gardens of Clarence House, with members of the Pakistan squad and senior cricket officials expected to attend. Hesson and Aqib have already left for London, the source said, adding that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Chief Operating Officer Sumair Ahmed and Pakistan Super League (PSL) Chief Executive Officer Salman Naseer are also due to arrive in the British capital. The visit comes as Pakistan's cricket administration prepares for a meeting linked to the PSL, while the national team is involved in a challenging Test series against England. A PSL meeting has been convened in London for September 1 and will be chaired by the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, according to the PCB source. Franchise owners are already in London and are expected to attend the meeting. PCB officials and franchise representatives are also due to witness the second Test between Pakistan and England at Lord's, where the visitors are facing a daunting task. Pakistan were in serious trouble in the match, with England holding a substantial lead and three wickets remaining. England's advantage had reached 357 runs, leaving Pakistan facing the prospect of chasing a huge fourth-innings target. The tourists had struggled badly with the bat in their first innings, being dismissed for 110 after England posted 290. The result has put Pakistan under considerable pressure on a Lord's surface that had offered the visitors little respite. With England already well ahead, Pakistan face the difficult challenge of restricting the hosts before attempting what could be a demanding chase. The London engagements will therefore combine administrative and cricketing business for the PCB hierarchy, with Naqvi expected to oversee the PSL discussions.