[EXCLUSIVE] "A lot of coaches found Mohammad Rizwan a very difficult person to cope with": Shahid Hashmi

[Cricket Warrior]

In this exclusive interview, Shahid Hashmi, one of Pakistan's most senior and respected journalists, offers a forensic analysis of the state of Pakistan cricket. He dissects the Test series draw against South Africa, the future of captain Shan Masood, the turbulent relationship between the PCB and Mohammad Rizwan, the public feud with Multan Sultans' owner — and much more.

Key topics include:

Weakness Against Spin: He bluntly states, "Ten years down the line, the same problem exists," pointing to Pakistan's enduring and "unresolved weakness against spin" as a systemic failure that continues to plague the side across generations of players.

Test Series Draw vs. South Africa: The drawn Test series is viewed through a critical lens, suggesting missed opportunities that could have secured a victory.

Shan Masood's Future: His outlook on Shan Masood's position is stark, asserting, "I think his future is not safe." This is a blunt assessment of the captain's security in the role.

Fielding Critique: The critique of Shan Masood's leadership on the field is encapsulated in the statement, "He didn't do anything out of the box." This suggests a lack of innovative or decisive tactical moves that could have turned the tide in crucial moments.

Mohammad Rizwan Relationship: He offers a challenging insight into the dynamics, stating, "Rizwan is a very, very difficult person to cope with." This suggests underlying tensions and communication difficulties between the player and the team management.

Multan Sultans' Prediction: The controversy is predicted to have devastating effects on the franchise's standing, with Hashmi stating, "Multan Sultans are now history in PSL." This suggests a belief that the fallout will permanently damage the team's position and legacy within the league.

Path Forward: His final overarching recommendation is that "Pakistan badly, badly needs a system." This is an urgent call for a clear, established, and sustainable structural blueprint to address the deep-seated issues facing the national game.

Watch the full interview with Saj here:

 

[Aami]

Music to some ears...

 

[zahid01]

Maybe he's not a yes sir man

 

[Rana]

He’s a very difficult person to cope with if you are a sincere Pakistan cricket fan, let alone the coach of the team.

 

[Usman]

Really enjoyed listening to Shahid. He has some excellent insights into the issues facing Pakistani cricket, and it’s clear he has longstanding knowledge of the team. I think he’s absolutely right about Pakistani cricket badly needing a system for the development of talent, the likes of which all other major nations have. He’s also spot on about Shan’s failings as a captain.

The Mohammed Rizwaan comments are interesting. Shahid confirms what I have always thought, that Rizwaan is fundamentally a team player and that he gives it his all. What I hadn’t realised is that behind the scenes, he’s a complicated character and is difficult to manage. And I agree with him that I have no idea why the team performance went from absolutely electric under Rizwaan to utterly abysmal. Goodness knows what went wrong there.

 

[Rana]

What I hadn’t realised is that behind the scenes, he’s a complicated character and is difficult to manage.

The writing was always on the wall.

Rizwan started showing his true colours when he came out in a presser and demanded the no.4 batting spot in ODI

He also went on a cry baby rant about how “the nation’s favourite jodi” had been made to split up because Hafeez wanted Saim to open in T20s

Mohammad Yousuf was the batting coach of Pakistan during the NZ away tour. Previously on TV he said main a time that he wanted Rizwan to bat at 5 or 6 in ODI so that a younger and more aggressive batter could bat in the middle order slots to keep up with modern requirements… Rizwan batted at 4 throughout the CT, NZ tour and subsequently the West Indies tour. pakistan suffered badly throughout. They were really hitting a brick wall with their ODI batting. It’s clear that Yousuf (a coach like many others) were not being able to get their message across.

It was always piling up. I remember interviews of Andy Flower too who although praises Rizwan a lot but also states that he and Rizwan have had strong disagreements on cricketing strategies. It’s clear that Rizwan recons he’s smarter than everyone

 

[Abid Z]

This interview was very good. I think this guy is a brilliant journalist. His assessment of the tareen/PCB fight is spot on. Tareen he says is correct in all his criticisms but this should have been conducted behind closed doors not aired in public like two kids.

And really good assessment of the test series. Anybody would have accepted a 1-1 score line but the way Pak collapsed so many times in the last 12 months or so is a real worry.

 

[pakfan54588]

Isn't he is same journalist who called afghanistan 2nd best team in asia cup .Poor afghanistan was put in unnecessary pressure by him

 

[BouncerGuy]

Isn't he is same journalist who called afghanistan 2nd best team in asia cup .Poor afghanistan was put in unnecessary pressure by him

Not just him... Everybody here thinks they are the 2nd best team... Afghans do not care about any Pakistani journo but when the whole asia starts saying the same, that is what puts extra pressure...

Shahid is a very intelligent guy. His assessments do not go wrong almost 99 out of 100 times

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I like this guy, he less sensationalist than other journos

 

[DeadlyVenom]

The writing was always on the wall.

Rizwan started showing his true colours when he came out in a presser and demanded the no.4 batting spot in ODI

He also went on a cry baby rant about how “the nation’s favourite jodi” had been made to split up because Hafeez wanted Saim to open in T20s

Mohammad Yousuf was the batting coach of Pakistan during the NZ away tour. Previously on TV he said main a time that he wanted Rizwan to bat at 5 or 6 in ODI so that a younger and more aggressive batter could bat in the middle order slots to keep up with modern requirements… Rizwan batted at 4 throughout the CT, NZ tour and subsequently the West Indies tour. pakistan suffered badly throughout. They were really hitting a brick wall with their ODI batting. It’s clear that Yousuf (a coach like many others) were not being able to get their message across.

It was always piling up. I remember interviews of Andy Flower too who although praises Rizwan a lot but also states that he and Rizwan have had strong disagreements on cricketing strategies. It’s clear that Rizwan recons he’s smarter than everyone

This is as much a failure of the coach than it is of Rizwan and shows the need for solid cricket system in Pakistan.

Yeah he is stubborn, but you confront stubborn people in life. The coach should be able to tell him to do one, bat where he is told, or get to france. Why hasn't this ever happened?

At times we focus on players too much, I remember Younis used to get flack for blackmailing his way into the LOI side. Rizwan for sure deserves blame, but you have coaches, assistant coach, selection panel, director of cricket, even chairman PCB all claiming big bucks. but they cannot tell a player where to bat? What the hell are they doing in these positions?

 

[Rana]

Yeah he is stubborn, but you confront stubborn people in life. The coach should be able to tell him to do one, bat where he is told, or get to france. Why hasn't this ever happened?

They did exactly that in T20i

How’s that faring for those who are willing to play for the team in as keepers?

maybe @BouncerGuy and @Ball Blazer can shed some light on this subject being the hounds of Justice?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

They did exactly that in T20i

How’s that faring for those who are willing to play for the team in as keepers?

maybe @BouncerGuy and @Ball Blazer can shed some light on this subject being the hounds of Justice?

Who did that?

The T20 keeper hasnt been dropped for Rizwan he's been dropped because he couldn't bat or keep

All of these coaches that the journalist mentioned, basically pampered Rizwan and then cried about it afterwards.

What kind of coaching is this?

 

[Rana]

“The dove has reported that former captain Mohammad Rizwan has not yet signed the central contract and has put forward some conditions, asking why he was dropped from the national T20 squad, and the reason for this should be explained. All the other 29 players have signed the contract, but Mohammad Rizwan has not yet signed the central contract”

 

[Rana]

“The dove has reported that former captain Mohammad Rizwan has not yet signed the central contract and has put forward some conditions, asking why he was dropped from the national T20 squad, and the reason for this should be explained. All the other 29 players have signed the contract, but Mohammad Rizwan has not yet signed the central contract”

@topspin @shaz619 @mominsaigol @Dr_Bassim @YousafTheBeast @CerebralPatriot

He won’t sign a central contract because he was dropped from T20s, not Test cricket.

 

[Rana]

“ BREAKING… Mohammad Rizwan has not accepted the conditions for signing the central contract in front of the PCB but has instead posed a few questions! What is the procedure for making the central contract? What is the procedure for transparency? What is the reason for the demotion in category? Has the central contract been made based on performance?”

 

[RizwanT20Champ]

I would not blame Rizwan to be honest. If a clown tulla with SR 78 can captain us, then a man like Rizwan can even be President.

 

[YousafTheBeast]

@topspin @shaz619 @mominsaigol @Dr_Bassim @YousafTheBeast @CerebralPatriot

He won’t sign a central contract because he was dropped from T20s, not Test cricket.

Can’t blame him, he’s not going to be getting those hugs from India in Tests.

 

[Major]

“The dove has reported that former captain Mohammad Rizwan has not yet signed the central contract and has put forward some conditions, asking why he was dropped from the national T20 squad, and the reason for this should be explained. All the other 29 players have signed the contract, but Mohammad Rizwan has not yet signed the central contract”

In every organization, you are allowed to ask questions before signing a contract, because they become legally binding after being signed.

The only issue i have is I hope Rizwan is not dictating his terms on sponsorship, because that his none of his concern.

 

[Savak]

Rizwan is not really important to Pakistan Cricket. If PCB decide to part ways with him, no one will lift an eye lid.

 

[Sachin fan]

Maybe he's not a yes sir nan

There is a saying, if you meet one bad person in a day, he is bad, if you meet 2 bad person they are bad but if everyone you meet is bad, maybe, just maybe, you are the one who is bad.

Not being yes man cannot be the reason he would have problem with every single coach and management.

 

[Sachin fan]

This is as much a failure of the coach than it is of Rizwan and shows the need for solid cricket system in Pakistan.

Yeah he is stubborn, but you confront stubborn people in life. The coach should be able to tell him to do one, bat where he is told, or get to france. Why hasn't this ever happened?

At times we focus on players too much, I remember Younis used to get flack for blackmailing his way into the LOI side. Rizwan for sure deserves blame, but you have coaches, assistant coach, selection panel, director of cricket, even chairman PCB all claiming big bucks. but they cannot tell a player where to bat? What the hell are they doing in these positions?

How do you know they didn't tell him and he just didn't listen?

 

[DeadlyVenom]

How do you know they didn't tell him and he just didn't listen?

What do you think happened? Coach made someone else opener and Rizwan pushed his way out to the field and started batting?

It's unlikely.

Coaches and selectors should have dropped him. No point moaning about it after doing nothing.

 

[zahid01]

There is a saying, if you meet one bad person in a day, he is bad, if you meet 2 bad person they are bad but if everyone you meet is bad, maybe, just maybe, you are the one who is bad.

Not being yes man cannot be the reason he would have problem with every single coach and management.

If a manager cant manage an individual then maybe he is in the wrong job stubborn people does not mean they are bad people

 

[Shafi]

I am not in favor of Rizwan but compare him with useless and timid guy like Salman Aga is pathetic. Even Nepal has better captain this one.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

So, Rizwan fell out with Hesson too after the West Indies tour and not just Aqib.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

There are rumors going around that Rizwan refused to sign his central contract.

===
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has reportedly declined to sign his central contract, making him the only player among the 30 contracted cricketers who has yet to do so, sources revealed on Tuesday.

According to details, all other players have signed their respective contracts, but Rizwan has withheld his signature after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allegedly turned down a few of his personal demands.

“There’s currently no indication that the PCB will revisit Rizwan’s requests,” said one source familiar with the development.

For the unversed, Rizwan was included in Category B of the new central contracts, which also features nine other players, including star batter Babar Azam.

Notably, no cricketer was placed in Category A this time around.

The development comes shortly after Rizwan’s removal as Pakistan’s ODI captain, with Shaheen Shah Afridi taking charge ahead of the upcoming home series against South Africa.

Mohammad Rizwan refuses to sign central contract: sources

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has reportedly declined to sign his central contract, sources revealed on Tuesday.

a-sports.tv

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I would not blame Rizwan to be honest. If a clown tulla with SR 78 can captain us, then a man like Rizwan can even be President.

Clearly you didn't take much time to think about how illogical your statement actually is.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

So, Rizwan fell out with Hesson too after the West Indies tour and not just Aqib.

There are rumors that he fell out with Kirsten too, though I haven’t seen it reported by any reputable news outlets, so I question its veracity. Basit Ali has about as much credibility as the guy selling socks on the street. Even if that news isn’t true, there’s still enough to suggest that he isn’t an easy person to work with and is too rigid and set in his ways for a leadership position.

 

[Aami]

Right ... lets hear it for the PCB.
I mean with such a professional outfit as PCB, I'm surprised that they haven't managed to contain the monster that is Rizwan.
They're usually spot on with their decision making, blunting players' aspirations, very discreet and more importantly empathtic to players' needs.
Very unusual to be caught in such a mire. I'm sure they'll sort it in no time and it'll back to BAU.

 

[shaz619]

@topspin @shaz619 @mominsaigol @Dr_Bassim @YousafTheBeast @CerebralPatriot

He won’t sign a central contract because he was dropped from T20s, not Test cricket.

I hope we wont see him for a while and PCB take him to suplex-city for this.

Rizwan thinks he is god’s gift to Pakistan cricket; he is merely serviceable and it’s better to move on from him for good because it will serve us better in the long term.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

There are rumors that he fell out with Kirsten too, though I haven’t seen it reported by any reputable news outlets, so I question its veracity. Basit Ali has about as much credibility as the guy selling socks on the street. Even if that news isn’t true, there’s still enough to suggest that he isn’t an easy person to work with and is too rigid and set in his ways for a leadership position.

Well that explains the loss of ODI captaincy.

And it's a fair call imo. They can't keep firing coaches. Nobody will want the Pakistan coaching job if PCB did the same to Hesson as they did to Kirsten.

But then giving captaincy to Shaheen is a questionable decision that makes no sense.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Well that explains the loss of ODI captaincy.

And it's a fair call imo. They can't keep firing coaches. Nobody will want the Pakistan coaching job if PCB did the same to Hesson as they did to Kirsten.

But then giving captaincy to Shaheen is a questionable decision that makes no sense.

At this point they are just throwing stuff at the wall and hoping something sticks. Truth is, you could make anyone captain of this team and it wouldn't change anything.

 

[Rana]

There are rumors that he fell out with Kirsten too, though I haven’t seen it reported by any reputable news outlets, so I question its veracity. Basit Ali has about as much credibility as the guy selling socks on the street. Even if that news isn’t true, there’s still enough to suggest that he isn’t an easy person to work with and is too rigid and set in his ways for a leadership position.

Rashid Latif who’s been running agenda’s for him claimed on the night of the news breaking of his sacking, that Kirsten did interviews with players and selected Rizwan as captain.

I think that’s all a lie and b.s.

They ran this narrative because Rizwan getting sacked or discarded by a world renowned coach like Hesson doesn’t bode well for his brand and image. It’s a massive dent and a big career blow. His management company had to do as much face saving as they could in the meanwhile.

Now you see all of these news breaking out, and the fact that he’s the only one complaining about the central contract whereas all 29 other players have signed it and got on with it

Heck your Test captain was offered a Cat D contract and even he didn’t cry about it and got on with it!

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Rashid Latif who’s been running agenda’s for him claimed on the night of the news breaking of his sacking, that Kirsten did interviews with players and selected Rizwan as captain.

I think that’s all a lie and b.s.

They ran this narrative because Rizwan getting sacked or discarded by a world renowned coach like Hesson doesn’t bode well for his brand and image. It’s a massive dent and a big career blow. His management company had to do as much face saving as they could in the meanwhile.

Now you see all of these news breaking out, and the fact that he’s the only one complaining about the central contract whereas all 29 other players have signed it and got on with it

Heck your Test captain was offered a Cat D contract and even he didn’t cry about it and got on with it!

Not being able to make it work with Hesson is a big red flag. Because he is regarded as a player-friendly coach who is also very easy to get along with. He's not a taskmaster like Mickey Arthur, whose coaching style can rub some players the wrong way.

Crying about the central contract is childish. Nothing good can come from it, and with the team performing the way they are, the optics look even worse.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Not being able to make it work with Hesson is a big red flag. Because he is regarded as a player-friendly coach who is also very easy to get along with. He's not a taskmaster like Mickey Arthur, whose coaching style can rub some players the wrong way.

Crying about the central contract is childish. Nothing good can come from it, and with the team performing the way they are, the optics look even worse.

Not defending Rizwan here, but boy Hesson and Taylor were embroiled in a big dispute in 2013. Taylor had accused Hesson of backstabbing him out of captaincy.

 

[shaz619]

Well that explains the loss of ODI captaincy.

And it's a fair call imo. They can't keep firing coaches. Nobody will want the Pakistan coaching job if PCB did the same to Hesson as they did to Kirsten.

But then giving captaincy to Shaheen is a questionable decision that makes no sense.

They literally ran out a WC winning coach in Kirsten, who literally exposed what a politician Rizwan was behind the scenes; he needs to be that way or else he’d not have much of a career at all. And people go way too ga ga over his Test performances as though he’s the equivalent of Pant with his impact, he got tidy glove work that’s it mainly and can hang around at the crease for a bit, it’s not a big loss for us to look for alternatives and he’s at the wrong side of his 30’s to / offers nothing in LOI’s.

 

[Rana]

They literally ran out a WC winning coach in Kirsten, who literally exposed what a politician Rizwan was behind the scenes; he needs to be that way or else he’d not have much of a career at all. And people go way too ga ga over his Test performances as though he’s the equivalent of Pant with his impact, he got tidy glove work that’s it mainly and can hang around at the crease for a bit, it’s not a big loss for us to look for alternatives and he’s at the wrong side of his 30’s to / offers nothing in LOI’s.

It is no coincidence that Kirsten announced his resignation the day after Rizwan was appointed white ball captain.

He wasn’t having any of it!

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Not defending Rizwan here, but boy Hesson and Taylor were embroiled in a big dispute in 2013. Taylor had accused Hesson of backstabbing him out of captaincy.

I don't know the specifics of how it all went down, but NZ till 2013 were thoroughly mediocre side and that Taylor captaincy stint was not a good period either.

The McCullum captaincy on the other hand is regarded as the turning-point, where they really turned a corner as a team and started playing a different brand of cricket.

Sometimes you need to take tough decisions for the betterment of the team, even if that means making some people unhappy.

 

[shaz619]

It is no coincidence that Kirsten announced his resignation the day after Rizwan was appointed white ball captain.

He wasn’t having any of it!

We lost an ATG coach because of him, another thing his fans overlook and is an instant sackable offence. Hesson we’re lucky with a bit because he knows how these deranged lot work in our multi-verse

 

[Rana]

We lost an ATG coach because of him, another thing his fans overlook and is an instant sackable offence. Hesson we’re lucky with a bit because he knows how these deranged lot work in our multi-verse

He definitely had it worked out beforehand but he too did give in eventually. It was becoming oh so hard for him to resist the pressure being mounted on him to keep out Babar. His plan was to have Bobsy truly exposed in the BBL and close the door on him for the T20 World Cup but he compromised.

That’s why I keep reiterating that Pakistan’s T20 at least cannot progress until both Babar and Rizwan are finished, kicked out from this format permanently.

 

[topspin]

Finally someone has said it.

I used to like Rizwan because in the mid-2010s I found his honesty and humility quite refreshing.

But he changed after he teamed up with Inzy and became a director of a UK registered company. The scandal that followed with the conflict of interest tells you exactly what type of individual he is.

Anyone who supports him is a buffoon.

 

[topspin]

Even during the 2023 ODI WC, Rizwan was more concerned about PR stunts with his “sometimes injury, sometimes acting”.

One minute he’s a preacher, next minute he’s dancing in the middle of a WC game. Mentally unstable.

 

[pakistani pride]

Finally someone has said it.

I used to like Rizwan because in the mid-2010s I found his honesty and humility quite refreshing.

But he changed after he teamed up with Inzy and became a director of a UK registered company. The scandal that followed with the conflict of interest tells you exactly what type of individual he is.

Anyone who supports him is a buffoon.

He is a big time actor. Cant stand a player like him in the Pak team. Its because of such insecure and weak characters like Rizwan and Babar interest in Pak cricket is so low. I mean they are the so called stars!

 

[hassan918]

He is a big time actor. Cant stand a player like him in the Pak team. Its because of such insecure and weak characters like Rizwan and Babar interest in Pak cricket is so low. I mean they are the so called stars!

He does do acting some times but he is surely a better choice than Mohammad Haris in T20 cricket.

 

[Rana]

He does do acting some times but he is surely a better choice than Mohammad Haris in T20 cricket.

No.

 

[shaz619]

He definitely had it worked out beforehand but he too did give in eventually. It was becoming oh so hard for him to resist the pressure being mounted on him to keep out Babar. His plan was to have Bobsy truly exposed in the BBL and close the door on him for the T20 World Cup but he compromised.

That’s why I keep reiterating that Pakistan’s T20 at least cannot progress until both Babar and Rizwan are finished, kicked out from this format permanently.

If hopefully he flops, there will be less pressure when they drop him before the WC. But the issue is the fresh gang will demand he is picked after the WC dependent on how that goes & like I said before, I want both of then in this WC to be done with them for good; Rizwan could be after picking a fight with the wrong guy, Babar still has enough chalaki not to go down that route and has been rewarded with a comeback after his cronies kept pushing for it.

 

[shaz619]

Mohammad Yousuf had problems with the PCB, Younis Khan had problems with the PCB & so did Shoaib Akhtar.

But the ability justified the ego.

What on earth does Rizwan have to have such an inflated opinion of himself?

Or is it just anger for not getting to dress up in Pink with his best bud