Hayden, who has previously worked with Pakistan as batting coach and team mentor, said the constant instability surrounding the setup makes it extremely difficult for players to perform consistently. “I really enjoy and enjoyed my time working with Pakistan. Nothing’s changed, though.

You know, that is always the trouble. That’s not an environment, you know; a pressure cooker is an environment for the middle, not for all the other peripheral things that happen outside. Pakistan lost the opening Test by an innings and 103 runs before suffering a 194-run defeat at Lord’s.

“Pakistan are always dark horses, because their natural talent is phenomenal. I mean, anyone who can see athletic ability can see that Pakistan has an abundance of it. The trouble is, it never gets focussed because it’s never allowed to get focussed.

It’s always in chaos. They’re always standing on one toe, let alone two feet. “And that’s, you know, something that I did enjoy doing in the short time that I was with Pakistan.

It’s just getting things back on an even keel and not so frantic. The latest upheaval saw seven players sent home, including Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, Khurram Shahzad, Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Zafar. “And that old saying, it’s just not cricket that is so important for this conversation with Pakistan.

“Let me ask you one thing: South Africa lost to Namibia, and India lost to Ireland.

He also defended the board’s changes, saying: “If someone is not clicking or not performing, then what can we do?

” But as Pakistan prepares for the third Test, Hayden’s assessment points to a problem deeper than results — the continuing inability to create the stability and trust he believes its immense talent needs.