- Joined
- Aug 12, 2023
- Runs
- 24,099
Mike Hesson speaks ahead of Pakistan vs New Zealand Super 8 game:
Q: The tougher stage starts now. How ready is the team and what are the areas of improvement?
Mike: We’ve spent the last six months getting to this point. Making the Super Eights is exactly where we wanted to be. We’ve won eight of our last 10 games and different players have stood up at different times. Improvement-wise, it’s about adjusting to the conditions better than we did on this surface last time.
Q: Mark Chapman (New Zealand) said they know what Pakistan is bringing. Any response? Also, is Tariq an attacking or defensive option?
Mike: Mark has an incredible record against Pakistan, but this pitch brings different challenges and we have thoughts on how to subdue him. Regarding Murk [Tariq], he’s one of those rare bowlers who can attack and defend at the same time. We’re fortunate to have him.
Q: Do the historical numbers (Pakistan winning 5 of 7 World Cup matches against NZ) give you a psychological edge?
Mike: I don't think games are won or lost psychologically; they are won through skill. What’s happened in the past is in the past. We’re focused on starting the Super Eights well tomorrow.
Q: Why is Babar Azam batting at number four? Isn't that "cricketing suicide" for him in T20s?
Mike: It’s the role the team requires. His strike rate in the power play during World Cups is less than 100, so we don't feel that's a role we need from him here. We wanted "batsmanship" through the middle post-Asia Cup. Babar is the first to acknowledge that at certain times, like the 12th over, other players can perform specific roles more efficiently.
Q: Why was Abrar dropped after just one game despite being a top wicket-taker? Are you relying too much on all-rounders?
Mike: Those "all-rounders" include some of the best-performing spinners in the world. We have six spin options. Conditions dictate selection; we don't always need that many spinners, but Abrar is ready if we go spin-heavy again.
Q: The middle order seems one-dimensional with too many right-handers. Will we see a left-hander come in?
Mike: We have Nawaz and Fahim who are left-handers. We have that flexibility in the squad if we face a lot of left-arm spin and need that advantage.
Q: Why are seniors like Fakhar and Shaheen still on the bench?
Mike: We pick the best team for the specific game. Salman Mirza came in for Shaheen and bowled incredibly well. Conditions have dictated that we often only play two seamers, and sometimes they don't even bowl their full quota.
Q: We haven't seen Naseem Shah bowl yet. Is it a lack of confidence from management?
Mike: Not at all. Spinners have played a huge role here. Even when Shaheen or Salman played, they didn't bowl their full overs because we didn't need them. Naseem is bowling incredibly well, and we'll pick the best team for the conditions.
Q: Saim Ayub is struggling with the bat. Will Babar go back to opening with Farhan?
Mike: We’ve won eight of our last 10. Saim was the highest run-scorer in the series before this. We don’t look at one or two games in isolation. If he gets it right, he takes the game away from anyone. I wouldn’t expect huge changes.
Q: There was footage of a "heated discussion" between you and Salman after he got out against Namibia. What happened?
Mike: People really got that wrong. I was talking to Salman about getting Nawaz to pad up as a left-hander. Salman was just upset that he got out and threw his bottle—it had nothing to do with our conversation. He was just in the "crossfire" of the camera shot while being disappointed.
Q: The tougher stage starts now. How ready is the team and what are the areas of improvement?
Mike: We’ve spent the last six months getting to this point. Making the Super Eights is exactly where we wanted to be. We’ve won eight of our last 10 games and different players have stood up at different times. Improvement-wise, it’s about adjusting to the conditions better than we did on this surface last time.
Q: Mark Chapman (New Zealand) said they know what Pakistan is bringing. Any response? Also, is Tariq an attacking or defensive option?
Mike: Mark has an incredible record against Pakistan, but this pitch brings different challenges and we have thoughts on how to subdue him. Regarding Murk [Tariq], he’s one of those rare bowlers who can attack and defend at the same time. We’re fortunate to have him.
Q: Do the historical numbers (Pakistan winning 5 of 7 World Cup matches against NZ) give you a psychological edge?
Mike: I don't think games are won or lost psychologically; they are won through skill. What’s happened in the past is in the past. We’re focused on starting the Super Eights well tomorrow.
Q: Why is Babar Azam batting at number four? Isn't that "cricketing suicide" for him in T20s?
Mike: It’s the role the team requires. His strike rate in the power play during World Cups is less than 100, so we don't feel that's a role we need from him here. We wanted "batsmanship" through the middle post-Asia Cup. Babar is the first to acknowledge that at certain times, like the 12th over, other players can perform specific roles more efficiently.
Q: Why was Abrar dropped after just one game despite being a top wicket-taker? Are you relying too much on all-rounders?
Mike: Those "all-rounders" include some of the best-performing spinners in the world. We have six spin options. Conditions dictate selection; we don't always need that many spinners, but Abrar is ready if we go spin-heavy again.
Q: The middle order seems one-dimensional with too many right-handers. Will we see a left-hander come in?
Mike: We have Nawaz and Fahim who are left-handers. We have that flexibility in the squad if we face a lot of left-arm spin and need that advantage.
Q: Why are seniors like Fakhar and Shaheen still on the bench?
Mike: We pick the best team for the specific game. Salman Mirza came in for Shaheen and bowled incredibly well. Conditions have dictated that we often only play two seamers, and sometimes they don't even bowl their full quota.
Q: We haven't seen Naseem Shah bowl yet. Is it a lack of confidence from management?
Mike: Not at all. Spinners have played a huge role here. Even when Shaheen or Salman played, they didn't bowl their full overs because we didn't need them. Naseem is bowling incredibly well, and we'll pick the best team for the conditions.
Q: Saim Ayub is struggling with the bat. Will Babar go back to opening with Farhan?
Mike: We’ve won eight of our last 10. Saim was the highest run-scorer in the series before this. We don’t look at one or two games in isolation. If he gets it right, he takes the game away from anyone. I wouldn’t expect huge changes.
Q: There was footage of a "heated discussion" between you and Salman after he got out against Namibia. What happened?
Mike: People really got that wrong. I was talking to Salman about getting Nawaz to pad up as a left-hander. Salman was just upset that he got out and threw his bottle—it had nothing to do with our conversation. He was just in the "crossfire" of the camera shot while being disappointed.
backing. It certainly looks like at this point.
King hai. 
