Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson has called on critics to evaluate the country’s cricket performance based on facts rather than emotions. He emphasized that the three formats—Test, ODI, and T20—should be assessed separately, noting significant progress in the T20 team over the last 15 months.
Hesson acknowledged that Pakistan’s Test side is currently facing difficulties, while the ODI team remains in a developmental phase as it prepares for the upcoming World Cup. However, he firmly rejected claims that the T20 team is in decline, pointing out that their recent results have placed them among the top teams globally in terms of win percentage.
“When I took over, Pakistan was ranked eighth in T20 cricket worldwide. We have now climbed to fifth, improving by 30 ranking points over the past 15 months,” Hesson explained. This advancement has been driven by series wins both at home and abroad, including successful campaigns in Dubai and the United States.
In a significant development, Hesson identified India as the current benchmark in white-ball cricket. He stated that Pakistan aims to close the gap and challenge India’s dominance when the opportunity arises. Nonetheless, he advised caution, noting that both teams still have several matches to play before potentially meeting in a final.
Regarding leadership, Hesson revealed that Shadab Khan will be given a chance to gain captaincy experience during the Asian Games. The squad for the event will be a mix of players from Shaheen Afridi’s team and the national side, providing a platform for new talent and leadership growth.
When asked about Shadab’s future as Pakistan’s T20 captain, Hesson said the final decision rests with the selection committee and Pakistan Cricket Board leadership and will be made in due course.
Hesson also challenged the narrative that Pakistan struggles in major tournaments. He pointed out that prior to the Asia Cup, Pakistan had failed to advance beyond the initial stages in three major events. However, in the Asia Cup, Pakistan won all matches except the one against India and reached the final. Similarly, at the T20 World Cup, Pakistan progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time after previously not making it past the group stage. The team narrowly lost to England, while a game against New Zealand was abandoned due to rain.
“We must maintain high expectations for Pakistan, but it’s important to recognize the progress from not reaching the top eight to competing strongly. This is a process that requires time and patience,” Hesson remarked.
He reiterated that the Asian Games squad will differ from the regular T20 team, combining players from Shaheen’s group and the national setup. This approach will allow the team to evaluate emerging players while providing Shadab with valuable leadership experience.
Overall, Hesson affirmed that Pakistan has made notable strides in T20 cricket but still faces challenges, especially against teams like India that currently set the standard in the format.
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