Tag: Mike Hesson

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has defended the use of a spin-friendly surface in the opening ODI against Australia, responding to criticism that such conditions may not help the team prepare for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.

Pakistan secured a comfortable five-wicket victory in the series opener at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday, with spin bowlers playing a decisive role in the outcome.

The hosts opted to field just two specialist fast bowlers, while their spinners dominated Australia’s batting line-up. Pakistan’s slow bowlers accounted for eight of the visitors’ ten wickets as Australia were bowled out for 200.

Interestingly, Australian spinners also found assistance from the surface, claiming three of Pakistan’s five wickets during the chase.

Despite the convincing victory, several former cricketers and analysts questioned the preparation strategy, arguing that Pakistan should be playing on pace-friendly pitches ahead of the ODI World Cup 2027, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

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Addressing the criticism through a post on social media platform X, Mike Hesson dismissed the concerns and explained that preparations for the global event require adaptability to a range of conditions rather than focusing solely on South Africa.

“I’ve been hearing a bit of chatter about the pitches here in Pakistan not being the ideal preparation for the World Cup in South Africa. It’s actually a topic I talked about on the latest #PCB podcast,” Hesson wrote.

The former New Zealand coach pointed out that two of the tournament’s host nations are expected to offer conditions where spin could play a major role.

“Firstly the World Cup is jointly hosted in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Zimbabwe and Namibia have venues where spin is a big factor and we will be playing matches in those countries,” he stated.

Hesson further challenged the perception that all South African venues are traditionally dominated by pace and bounce, insisting that conditions vary significantly across the country.

“The myth of all pitches in South Africa being quick and bouncy are just not true, there are definitely some which are but they also vary throughout the country,” he explained.

He also referenced Pakistan’s most recent ODI tour of South Africa in 2024, highlighting that spin-friendly conditions had previously influenced results there.

“Those that remember the last ODI series Pakistan played in SA which included Paarl where spin dictated the outcome of the match,” he stated.

Hesson concluded by assuring supporters that the team management has conducted extensive planning and research as part of its World Cup preparations.

“Rest assured we have completed significant research and will be using the next 18 months to prepare for a variety of conditions,” he added.

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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson explained the reason behind Mohammad Rizwan’s exclusion from the ODI series against Australia. 

Rizwan was omitted from the national squad following a lackluster performance against Bangladesh, managing only 54 in three matches at an average of 19.33.

Speaking to the media, Hesson highlighted the team’s performance in the past year and shed light on Mohammad Rizwan’s performance.

“There is confidence in our white-ball team. We have made real progress over the last 12 months,” he told reporters.

“When I arrived, Mohammad Rizwan was not part of the T20 squad, and he was certainly not the captain, so he has not been playing T20 cricket since I have been involved,” he added.

Hesson recalled the away series against the West Indies, noting that the team’s return of only two wins over the past year made the decision to change captaincy.

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“In terms of ODIs, Rizwan started as captain in the West Indies series, but we felt a change was needed at the end of that tour after winning only two matches in the past year. The team had not performed, and we assess both individual numbers and overall team performance when making decisions,” the coach revealed.

“You look at two things: you look at individual numbers, and you look at how you can maximise the team’s performance. So, we felt we wanted to make a change from the captaincy’s point of view,” Hesson clarified.

He said the idea behind bringing fresh faces was to explore more options, adding that the decision to drop Rizwan was made by the selection committee.

“We need to explore all available options from a team perspective, and that was the decision of the selection panel. We have had several series together and identified areas for improvement, as we do with every player.”

“In ODI cricket, we have multiple areas to work on. One key concern is our powerplay bowling and taking wickets early, which has been an area of weakness over the past 12 months. We are working to improve both the type of bowlers we use and our overall approach,” he concluded.

The three-match ODI series against Australia will begin on 30 May at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

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COLOMBO: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has revealed reason behind Babar Azam’s demotion in the batting order during the Namibia clash in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Speaking to the media ahead of New Zealand fixture, Hesson cited Babar Azam’s strike rate in the first six overs, stating that the batter is aware of his strike rate in the World Cup.

“I think Babar is well aware that his strike rate in the power play in the World Cup is less than 100 and that’s clearly not the role we think we need,” Hesson told reporters after Pakistan’s final practice session on Friday was washed out by rain.

“We brought Babar back in for a specific role post the Asia Cup,” he added.

The head coach also said that there are several other options available to step in and fulfill that role, and Babar himself recognizes this.

“We’ve got plenty of other options who can come in and perform that role towards the end. Babar is actually the first to acknowledge that, ” he continued.

“He knows that he’s got a certain set of skills that the team requires and there are certain times where other players can perform that role more efficiently,” the 51-year-old said.

Mike Hesson also emphasizes Pacer Salman Mirza’s recent performance, calling him unlucky to miss out on the high-stakes India-Pakistan fixture.

“We made a call that Salman Mirza was coming in for Shaheen, and he bowled incredibly well,” he said.

“To be fair, he was probably really unlucky to not be playing the second and third games.”

He concluded by acknowledging that New Zealand is well aware of the conditions and they must do their best to emerge victorious.

“New Zealand have played a huge amount in the subcontinent in recent times so we have to play at our best.”

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COLOMBO: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has clarified a video that appeared to show a heated exchange with captain Salman Ali Agha, stating that the situation was misunderstood.

On February 18, Hesson appeared to be engaged in a heated exchange with Salman Ali Agha during Pakistan’s clash against Namibia in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

The video, widely circulated online, showed Agha throwing his bottle to the ground in anger.

The visuals soon caught the attention of fans on social media, with various speculations about the conversation between them.

Speaking ahead of the New Zealand clash, Hesson explained that the situation had been misunderstood, noting that he had approached Salman Ali Agha to ask Nawaz to put on his pads.

“I’ve seen the video that was sent to me, and you’ve got it completely wrong. Let me explain what actually happened. I was walking over to speak to Salman and to ask Nawaz to put his pads on as a left-hander,” he told reporters in the pre-match press conference.

“Agha had just gotten out and was understandably upset, so he threw his bottle to the ground. It had nothing to do with the conversation we were having,” he added.

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The coach further said that it was just a simple discussion, and Agha was not involved at all.

“Once the left-arm spinner had finished his over, we discussed Shadab getting his pads on to come in. It was a very straightforward conversation, and Agha wasn’t even part of it,” he continued.

He was simply disappointed about his dismissal and happened to be nearby. It’s remarkable how easily situations can be misinterpreted,” Hesson concluded.

The 2009 champions are scheduled to play New Zealand tomorrow and England on February 24 before taking on hosts Sri Lanka in their final Super Eight encounter on Feb 28.

T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan Super Eights schedule

February 21: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Colombo

February 24: England vs Pakistan – Kandy

February 28: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – Colombo

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LAHORE: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has revealed that conditions played a major role behind Haris Rauf omission from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad.

While addressing the media on the occasion of the team announcement, Hesson revealed that Pakistan’s decision to take only three specialist seamers for World Cup were due to Sri Lanka conditions.

“When we decided to only take three seamers in Sri Lanka, there were obviously going to be some key seamers,” Hesson told reporters.

The head coach furhter elaborated that Haris Rauf was in contention but ultimately missed out due to limited slots.

“Wasim Jr, Ahmed Daniyal and Haris Rauf were certainly considered, but unfortunately there’s no spot. The three that are going — Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Salman Mirza — can all bowl in all three phases of the game, which is really important when you’re potentially going to play two in Sri Lanka,” he explained.

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Hesson mentioned the previous editions of the World Cup where conditions allowed an extra seamer, noting that Faheem Ahsraf provides an all-round option incase if a third pacer is required.

“In previous World Cups and previously, we have always taken an extra seamer there because conditions have dictated that, whereas in this situation we haven’t gone down that path,” he stated.

“We have only picked three frontline seamers, with Faheem Ashraf as the all-rounder if we decide to play three, so that was pretty straightforward, and some very good players missed out,” Hesson revealed.

For those unwared, Rauf’s last appearance for Pakistan in T20I cricket came during the Asia Cup final against India on September 28, 2025, a match in which he struggled, conceding 50 runs in 3.4 overs while defending 146.

The performance raised questions about his ability to handle pressure in big moments, and he has not featured in the national T20I team since.

He was also left out of the T20I squads for the away series against Sri Lanka and the upcoming home series against Australia.

Earlier, Pakistan revealed the squad for T20 World Cup 2026 with skipper Salman Ali Agha set to lead the side.

Pakistan T20 World Cup Squad

Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (WK), and Usman Tariq.

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Wicket-keeper batter Usman Khan says Pakistan are ‘well prepared’ to lift the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

Speaking in an interview with Cricinfo on the sidelines of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Usman expressed confidence in lifting the T20 World Cup under the coaching of Mike Hesson.

The 30-year-old UAE cricketer, who switched to play for Pakistan in 2024, is currently playing for Dhaka Capitals.

“Our coach Mike Hesson has prepared us very well ahead of the World Cup,” he said.

“We will play Sri Lanka and Australia in the coming month as part of our preparation. We have a great combination in the team, and we are confident about our chances in the World Cup,” he continued.

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He emphasizes the conditions in Sri Lanka, where he will be playing for the first time, although Pakistan has yet to name its T20 World Cup squa

“I am heading to Sri Lanka for the first time. Playing in Dambulla will give us a good opportunity to understand the wickets ahead of the World Cup,” Usman said.

“The conditions are similar to what we faced in the recent tri-series. I am preparing for those wickets and focusing on handling fast bowling. We aim to win the series in Sri Lanka,” he concluded.

For those unware, Pakistan will play a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka which will be followed by home fixtures against Australia in a bid to fine tune their prepartations for the mega event.

As per the hybrid model, the Green Shirts will play all of their matches in Sri Lanka, which will start on 7 February, an event jointly hosted by India.

Watch BPL 2026 matches LIVE Here!

Pakistan will open the World Cup campaign with the match against the Netherlands, which will be followed by a clash against USA on 10 February.

The highly anticipated match of the event between defending champions India and Pakistan will be played on 15 February.

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White-ball head coach Mike Hesson headed back to New Zealand on Sunday after overseeing a successful home season with the Pakistan men’s cricket team.

The Green Shirts ‘ packed home season ended with a T20I tri-series triumph over Sri Lanka on Saturday.

During the home season, Pakistan played a complete series against South Africa, which included two Test matches, three ODIs, and same number of T20Is.

The Test series ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with Green Shirts emerging victorious in both the ODI and T20I series.

They then faced Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series, completing a 3-0 before taking on the Islanders and Zimbabwe in the T20I tri-series.

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Notably, Pakistan lost only three matches – one ODI and two T20Is – and won each of the four series.

Nonetheless, Mike Hesson originally hailing from New Zealand, expressed his joy over the Pakistan team’s successful home season in a social media post.

“This is the face of a tired but happy man. Tonight I start my long journey home back to New Zealand for a few weeks’ break. Missing my family and some warm summer weather,” Hesson wrote.

“So delighted to have finished the season with a win, well played boys,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan cricket team will tour Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I series in January.

The series is expected to be played from January 8 to 12, with all three matches scheduled at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

The upcoming World Cup will be held from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan set to play all their matches on Sri Lankan soil under the Hybrid Model.

Tentative schedule of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka

1st T20I – 8 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

2nd T20I – 10 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

3rd T20I – 12 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

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FAISALABAD: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson expressed delight at the return of cricket to Iqbal Cricket Stadium after a 17-year gap, praising the locals’ friendly and warm welcome.

The three-match ODI series between South Africa and Pakistan will commence tomorrow, marking a new dawn in the city’s cricketing landscape as the venue prepares to host its first ODI in 17 years.

The last international played here was between Pakistan and Bangladesh back in 2008.

 

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A post shared by Mike Hesson (@hesson_mike)

Hesson expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he received here upon arriving in Faisalabad for the first time.

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“Personally, this is my first time in Faisalabad, as well as the first international match to be played in the city for 17 years,” Hesson wrote on his social media handle.

“The Faisalabad locals have been incredibly friendly and welcoming. We are all very much looking forward to the start of the ODI series, hoping and preparing to put on a show for the people of Pakistan,” the post caption read.

Squads

Pakistan: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha

South Africa: Matthew Breetzke (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile, and Lizaad Williams

Schedule Pakistan-South Africa Series

Nov. 4: First ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

Nov. 6: Second ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

Nov. 8: Third ODI, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has opened up on the exclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris from the T20I squad for the series against South Africa.

The 24-year-old, who debuted in 2022, has featured in 35 T20Is, scoring 555 runs at an average of 17.34, including one century and a fifty.

He was part of the Pakistan squad in the recent ACC T20 Asia Cup 2025, where he began brightly with a half-century against Oman but could not sustain his form, finishing the tournament with 131 runs in six innings at 21.83.

Mike Hesson, while speaking to reporters at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, said Haris had been given “ample opportunities” to cement his place in the national side but failed to make them count.

Catch Pakistan vs South Africa news updates here!

“Mohammad Haris has had plenty of chances, and even he would admit he hasn’t made the most of them,” Hesson remarked.

He also advised the wicketkeeper-batter to focus on improving his decision-making when playing his shots.

“I wouldn’t say his career is over, but he needs to improve his decision-making with the bat. Even in domestic cricket, his batting average is around 17, the same as in international cricket,” he added.

Notably, Haris has now been replaced by Usman Khan, who returns to the side after last playing in the T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year.

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Hesson explained that Usman’s inclusion was based on conditions and team balance ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

“Usman Khan is a very good player of spin,” Hesson said.

“We see a wicketkeeper batting more through the middle than at the top, and with the World Cup in Sri Lanka, handling spin will be crucial. That’s why Usman was given the opportunity.”

Usman, who has represented Pakistan in 19 T20Is, has 239 runs at an average of 14.93 and a strike rate of 121.93, with one half-century to his name.

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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has revealed the batting position of Babar Azam in the forthcoming three-match T20I series against South Africa.

Babar has returned to the limited-overs side, having last played against South Africa in 2024.

Speaking ahead of the first T20I, Hesson reflected on the team’s combination and shared his thoughts on Babar Azam’s inclusion.

“I certainly endorse his selection, and he is likely to bat at the number three, and I am hoping that he will do well,” Hesson revealed.

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The head coach also revealed the reasons behind the exclusion of Mohammad Haris and Fakhar Zaman from the T20I squad.

“Fakhar has been rested so that he returns fresh for the ODIs.” “We gave Mohammad Haris several opportunities, but he couldn’t make the most of them. He is a young player and needs to improve his batting in domestic cricket,” Hesson remarked.

“Usman Khan plays spin well, which will be an advantage in Sri Lanka,” he added.

Hesson further praised South Africa as a formidable opponent and highlighted the squad’s preparedness for the upcoming challenges.

Hesson further hailed South Africa as a challenging opponent and highlighted the squad’s preparedness for the upcoming challenges.

“South Africa are a dangerous side.” “The team that lost to Namibia was a different one.” “We already have 15 players in mind for the World Cup, with competition for one or two spots,” he concluded.

For the unversed, the T20I series will begin on October 28 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, followed by the remaining two matches held on October 31 and November 2 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

South Africa Squad

T20I squad: Donovan Ferreira (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Matthew Breetzke, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Tony de Zorzi, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams.

Pakistan Squad

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicket-keeper), Usman Tariq

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