Tag: Mike Hesson

DUBAI: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson opened up on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s strike rates amid the debate surrounding their style of play and the modern-day requirements of T20I cricket.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are not part of Pakistan’s shorter format plans, with their previous appearance in the T20Is coming in December 2024 against South Africa.

Both players, who have captained Pakistan in T20Is, were left out of the team despite being the most successful pair in the shorter version of the game.

Speaking to the reporters in the pre-match press conference, Hesson addressed the debate surrounding the ace duo’s strike rates.

“I think being honest in your assessment of players is important. What matters is coming from a place with no agenda, being objective, and being clear. I haven’t talked about anyone’s frailties specifically, but I have alluded to the demands of the modern game,” he said.

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“The strike rates required in the powerplay, especially in good conditions, are different now than they used to be. Players ask for honesty—they want to know what they need to work on. If you provide that feedback, there’s always a way back for them, ” Hesson explained.

He emphasized honesty and team requirements, mentioning that it’s players’ responsibility to improve in certain areas.

“It’s not about liking a player or having a relationship with them; it’s about being honest about their role and what the team needs. Then it’s up to the players to work on those areas. That’s what I ask of anyone, whether they’re current players or trying to fight their way back into the team,” the coach said.

Mike Hesson highlighted team totals, stressing team team-first approach while noting that all other factors like strike rates, averages, and six counts are secondary.

“For me, it’s about the sum of the parts. What does the team achieve on the day, and is it good enough? Sometimes 150 is a winning score, sometimes 190 isn’t. It’s about assessing what’s required to win and whether we can get above that. That’s all that matters—not averages, not strike rates, not six counts,” he concluded.

READ: India-Pakistan Asia Cup tickets see price cut after slow sales

DUBAI: White-ball head coach Mike Hesson has said that Pakistan is geared up to take on the strong Indian team in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 block-buster clash, which will be played on Sunday here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS). 

Before taking on India, Pakistan will play Oman tomorrow at the same venue in their opening match of the tournament.

Speaking to the media ahead of the opening game, Hesson talked about the highly anticipated game against arch-rivals India on Sunday, September 14.

“I’ve certainly watched many games from afar and I have also commentated. So, being on the other side of the fence and right amongst such a highly charged event is going to be exciting,” he told reporters.

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“From my perspective, just like any final or world event, it’s about keeping everybody focused on the job at hand. That’ll be no different this weekend. We know India are hugely confident, and rightfully so, in terms of how well they’ve played,” he added.

Hesson stated that Pakistan is focused on maintaining composure despite huge game against India.

“But we’re focused on improving as a team day by day, not getting too far ahead of ourselves. We’re well aware of the enormity of the task, but we’re also looking forward to the challenge ahead,” Hesson explained.

Regarding the playing XI against Oman, Hesson said that the wicket is different from Sharjah, where they emerged victorious over spin-heavy Afghanistan in the T20I tr-series final.

Furthermore, he also praised Mohammad Nawaz and labelled him as a world-class bowler.

“We haven’t finalized the XI yet. Part of that process is coming and looking at the wicket, which I’ve done today. It’s very different to Sharjah, particularly in terms of the abrasiveness of the grass,” Hesson revealed.

“Mohammad Nawaz is currently ranked as the best spin bowler in the world since returning to the side. We’ve also got Abrar and Sufiyan doing well, Saim is in the top 10 all-rounders, and Salman Ali Agha,” he concluded.

READ: India-Pakistan Asia Cup tickets see price cut after slow sales

SHARJAH: Pakistan men’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has shared his thoughts on the national team’s recent performances in the build-up to the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025, slated to commence tomorrow.

Pakistan is coming off a tri-series final triumph over Afghanistan, proving a timely confidence booster for the team ahead of the continental tournament.

Mike Hesson praised Pakistan team performances and expressed confidence during a preview session on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) YouTube channel.

“I’m pleased with the way the team is progressing. I think we’re not the finished product yet, but to win, 10 out of 14 games is a good start,” Hesson stated.

“It took us a heck of a long time to win 10 games leading up to this. We’ve beaten Afghanistan and conditions that certainly suit their spin attack. So that was uh a confidence builder for the group and to win a final where there’s a bit of
pressure on the line,” he added.

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The 50-year-old highlighted the progress of the newly built team and their adaptability in the tri-series.

“We are still a developing side, not yet the finished product, but the progress is encouraging. One of the important aspects of the Tri-Series was adapting to four different pitches,” Hesson elaborated.

He further lauded Fakhar Zaman’s and Mohammad Nawaz’s vital contributions for the Pakistan team in the tri-series.

“Fakhar has steadily improved throughout the tri-series, gaining confidence after coming back from injury. His 77 not out was an important knock, not just for him but for the team as well, given the lack of top-order experience.

Mohammad Nawaz, meanwhile, has been exceptional. He has been outstanding with bat, ball, and in the field. Statistically, he is the best-performing T20 bowler in world cricket this year, and he has added power-hitting value at number six or seven, ” Hesson said.

Mike Hesson emphasized the Asia Cup 2025 and team goals, noting that their first goal is to qualify for the next round.

“The key for us is to stay focused on one game at a time, without letting external pressures affect concentration. The goal is first to qualify for the Super Four, then to play consistently well to progress further. If we continue to focus on each match, we’ll give ourselves the best chance of success,” he concluded.

READ: Match officials for Asia Cup 2025 group stage fixtures revealed

SHARJAH: Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, took to the social media platform ‘X’ to post a heartfelt message for the victims suffering due to the floods in Pakistan.

Pakistan claimed two successive victories in the UAE T20I triangular series. The Green Shirts opened their campaign against Afghanistan with a comprehensive 39-run victory courtesy of a clinical all-round performance.

After that, Pakistan defeated the hosts, the UAE, by 31 runs in a convincing manner, largely due to a solid batting performance.

For Pakistan, Saim Ayub and Hassan Nawaz starred with the bat, scoring brisk half-centuries which powered them to a commanding total of 207 runs.

In reply, the UAE fell short despite late fireworks from Asia Khan, who made 77 off just 35 balls.

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For Pakistan, Hasan Ali claimed three wickets and Mohammad Nawaz picked up two wickets, bowling an economical four-over spell.

Following the victories, Mike Hesson prayed for the safety of people affected by the Flood in Pakistan.

“These back-to-back wins are dedicated to everyone affected by the floods in Pakistan. Some people are really struggling, and we are praying for safety and strength for all those affected back in Pakistan,” he wrote.

For the uninitiated, Pakistan will face Afghanistan on Tuesday, September 2, before squaring off against the UAE two days later.

It is noteworthy to mention that the tri-series serves as a launching pad for the teams to prepare for and acclimatise to the conditions ahead of the eight-team ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in the UAE from 9 to 28 September.

READ: Saim, Hasan and Nawaz power Pakistan to victory over UAE

Former Pakistan Test pacer Tanvir Ahmed has sharply criticized national team head coach Mike Hesson after the defeat in the second T20I against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Pakistan’s T20I campaign in Bangladesh went from bad to worse as the visitors slumped to an eight-run defeat in the second T20I in Dhaka, conceding the three-match series 2-0 with a game still to play.

Tanvir Ahmed took to social media following the loss and took aim at Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, who joined the team in May before the home series against Bangladesh.

“Mike Hesson is a third-class coach who doesn’t even know how to select a proper playing XI,” Tanvir posted on X (formerly Twitter). “He doesn’t even know how to pick a team.”

Bangladesh sealed a historic series win over Pakistan after holding their nerve in a low-scoring thriller at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Batting first, the hosts were bowled out for 133 in 19.5 overs, Jaker Ali standing tall with a gritty 55 off 48 balls, which featured five sixes and a four.

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Pakistan’s bowling unit put in a tidy shift, with Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal, and Abbas Afridi picking up two wickets each.

In reply, Pakistan’s batting collapsed under pressure. At one point, they were tottering at 47 for 7 before Faheem Ashraf staged a late fightback.

The all-rounder smashed 51 off just 32 balls, including four boundaries and as many sixes, to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.

But with no real support from the other end, Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 125 in 19.2 overs.

The third and final T20I will be played on July 24 at the same venue, with Pakistan now fighting to avoid a whitewash.

READ: Andre Russell’s sparkling farewell in vain as Australia sprint to T20I win

MIRPUR: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has called the Shere Bangla National Stadium pitch ‘unacceptable’ after his side’s seven-wicket defeat against Bangladesh here on Sunday.

Bangladesh convincingly defeated Pakistan in the opening match of the T20I series, skittling them out for 110 runs in 19.3 overs.

Following the match, Hesson commented on the pitch’s nature, remarking that the surface was not suitable for preparation. of the Asia Cup and the World Cup

“I think (the pitch) is not ideal for anybody. Teams are trying to prepare for the Asia Cup or the (T20) World Cup. It is not acceptable. It is still no excuse for some of the decisions we made with the bat. But this pitch is not up to international standards,” he remarked.

Hesson, who is on his first assignment with the Pakistan team, emphasized Fakhar Zaman’s knock, noting that it provided a litmus test of the surface.

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“We got off to a little bit of a flyer. Fakhar Zaman played four or five shots. It gave us a false indication about how the surface was playing,” Mike Hesson elaborated.

“We didn’t help ourselves through the middle. We chose some poor options. When the ball started to nip through, and bounced steeply, we probably didn’t assess that it was a bit more challenging to play high-risk shots. Couple of run-outs also didn’t help,” he observed.

Mike Hesson praised the pitches prepared during the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), stating that good wickets help nurture players.

“You need good cricket wickets to develop cricketers. There was some good wickets during the BPL, to be fair. It is not up to the standard when international cricket is being played,” he stated.

The head coach highlighted the importance of good team performance despite topsy-turvy surface.

“I don’t think it helps them when they leave Bangladesh. But I think also batting first in these situations is challenging.

When you aren’t quite sure whether 100 or 130 or 150 is good enough. I don’t think (the pitch) is good for anybody. It still doesn’t take away the fact that you have to perform better in any surface. We will look at it as a team,” Mike Hesson concluded.

READ: Emon, Taskin star as Bangladesh thump Pakistan in T20I series opener

KARACHI: Pakistan men’s cricket team head coach for white-ball formats, Mike Hesson, has praised Shaheen Afridi for his performances and confirmed the return of Hasan Ali to the national side.

During the media interaction, Mike Hesson heaped high praise on fast bowler Shaheen Afridi.

“Shaheen is a world-class bowler. He will come into the national side after working on some of his weaknesses,” he said.

Pacer Hasan Ali, who is not part of the squad for the Bangladesh series despite demonstrated fine performances during the home series against the same side.

The head coach spoke about the return of Hasan Ali in the series against the West Indies.

“Hasan Ali is playing some really good cricket and will be with us in the Caribbean,” Hesson stated. “Salman Mirza has been brought into the squad as a replacement for Hasan Ali during the ongoing camp,” he told reporters.

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“We’ll continue to invest in players who meet the standards required at the international level,” he added.

The head coach also shed light on the week-long training camp for the upcoming T20 cricket assignments.

“We’re trying to work on a few key areas during this period,” he concluded.

For the unversed, the 15-member squad heading to Bangladesh is training at the National Bank Stadium, with the camp set to continue until July 15.

Apart from the squad members, five additional players were also added to the training camp. These players include Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Wasim Jr.

For the unversed, Pakistan’s tour of Bangladesh will be the first assignment under the new head coach, Mike Hesson.

The opening match between both teams is scheduled for July 20, followed by the second T20I on July 22 and the third on July 24.

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh series:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim

READ: Mike Hesson breaks silence on Babar Azam’s wicket-keeping role

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Head Coach Mike Hesson has opened up on the role of ace batter Babar Azam in the T20I side amid the speculation regarding his wicket-keeping role.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the Pakistan training camp, Hesson clarified the speculations regarding Babar Azam.

Recent media reports have claimed that Babar Azam has been offered a role as a wicketkeeper in a bid to secure his place in the team.

“Babar Azam is not being considered as a wicketkeeping option. There’s been a lot of chatter around this, but Babar is working to secure his place in the side as an opening batter,” he explained.

“There has been no talk with Babar regarding the wicket-keeping role. If he [Babar] could secure his place in the team, he would play alongside Fakhar Zaman or Saim Ayub,” he added.

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The newly appointed coach emphasized the needs of modern-day cricket, stressing the need for an aggressive approach.

“No player has been instructed to play with a strike rate of 150. We [Pakistan team] are lagging behind in T20 cricket due to our batting. The players have to play with intent in modern-day cricket,” he concluded.

It is worth noting that Babar Azam is not part of the T20I squad selected for the upcoming series against Bangladesh. The top-order batter, however, has been called to the training camp alongside Naseem Shah, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Wasim Jr.

The right-handed batter last played for Pakistan in the shorter format against South Africa in 2024. Consequently, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were axed from the T20I side amid concerns regarding the adaptability of modern-day cricket.

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh series:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim

Pakistan-Bangladesh T20I Series Schedule 

20 July – First T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

22 July – Second T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

24 July – Third T20I at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)

READ: Hasan Ali shares story behind viral ‘King kar lega’ phrase

Former Pakistan red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie has backed the appointment of Mike Hesson as the new white-ball head coach, calling it a “fantastic opportunity” and a “pure coaching challenge.”

Speaking to a local sports platform, Gillespie admitted that while Hesson’s appointment may have come as a surprise to many, it made sense from a professional point of view.

“There are always surprises in the world,” Gillespie remarked. “From personal experience, you do wonder sometimes, why make such a move? But working with Pakistan’s players is a brilliant opportunity for any coach.”

Jason Gillespie, who had a brief stint with the Pakistan Test side, said his own departure was due to well-documented reasons but showed complete understanding of Hesson’s decision to step in.

“There were reasons I moved on, and everyone knows that. But from a coaching lens, it’s a chance to test yourself, to grow players, and help a team evolve. I totally get why Mike took the job,” he added.

The former Aussie pacer had nothing but praise for Pakistan’s national cricketers, calling them coachable, eager, and respectful.

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“The players were a joy to work with. They listen, they learn, and they’re passionate about getting better,” he further stated.

“That’s exactly what pulled me to the role in the first place — the chance to work with such raw talent and genuinely good human beings.”

Jason Gillespie also revealed that while he hasn’t recently been in touch with Hesson, he’s known the New Zealander for a long time and has faith in what he can bring to the Pakistan setup.

“I haven’t spoken to Mike lately, but we go back to my time coaching in Zimbabwe,” he stated.

“He’s a top guy — thoughtful, experienced, and exactly what Pakistan cricket needs. If he’s given the space to work without interference, he can do great things.”

READ: Pakistan to face India on THIS date in ICC Women’s ODI World Cup

Newly appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has laid out his vision, expectations, and long-term commitment to Pakistan cricket, vowing to build a strong foundation rooted in understanding, unity, and consistency.

Speaking on the PCB Podcast, the 50-year-old former New Zealand coach outlined the mindset and planning behind taking up one of the most scrutinised roles in world cricket.

“I’ve come in with my eyes wide open,” Hesson said. “I knew the history, I knew the challenges.”

“So before accepting the job, I made sure to have extensive conversations with the key stakeholders — the NCA, selectors, senior players, and the PCB chairman. The main thing was ensuring we’re all on the same page.”

Mike Hesson made it clear that he doesn’t view this role as a short-term gig.

“I don’t want to be here for six months, enjoy a few highs or survive a few lows, and then leave,” he added. “For me, this is a medium-term project — and that means putting in the hard yards, even away from tours.”

He stressed that a crucial part of his coaching philosophy is developing a deep understanding of the players before demanding performances.

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“As head coach, my job is to get the best out of the players — and that starts with understanding them. You have to make them feel the expectations placed on them, not just tell them,” he explained.

“We’re constantly in meetings, setting up frameworks, and aligning our goals. Real change doesn’t happen three or four days before a series — especially when we’re talking about technical adjustments in fielding, bowling, or batting.”

Mike Hesson, who began his tenure with a 3-0 T20I whitewash over Bangladesh, also touched on his trust in newly appointed T20I captain Salman Ali Agha.

“I trust Salman, which is why you won’t see me constantly sending messages during matches. I believe in giving the players space to make decisions,” he noted.

The coach also shared a personal aspiration that goes beyond numbers and results.

“More than anything, I want the people of Pakistan to feel proud when they watch their team play. That’s the kind of connection we’re trying to build — something deeper, something lasting,” he concluded.

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