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Is this the end for Mike Hesson as Pakistan's coach?

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Ball Blazer

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Mike Hesson’s Pakistan Tenure and Series Results​

Mike Hesson was appointed Pakistan’s white-ball coach effective 26 May 2025. Since then, Pakistan have played only limited-overs series. In July 2025 they lost a 3‑match T20I tour of Bangladesh 1–2. In August 2025 Pakistan toured the USA/West Indies: they won the T20I series 2–1 but lost the 3‑ODI series 1–2. At the September 2025 T20 Asia Cup Pakistan’s wins came only against minnows (Oman and UAE) while they lost to full-strength India. I

n a Pakistan tri-series (Nov 2025, v Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe) they reached the final and beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets. In January 2026 Pakistan visited Sri Lanka for 3 T20Is (no Tests). Pakistan won the opener and Sri Lanka won the decider (one game was washed out), so the series ended 1–1. (Notably Pakistan had rested stars Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi for that tour, and Sri Lanka fielded a mix of fringe players.)

Finally, in Jan–Feb 2026 Pakistan hosted Australia for three T20Is and achieved a 3–0 whitewash. Even here, reports noted that Australia “isn’t their full-strength side” – Pakistan’s first T20 series win over Australia since 2018. Pakistan are now 1–1 in the ongoing March 2026 ODI series at Bangladesh (won second match by 127 runs to level the series).

Since Hesson took charge Pakistan’s victories have mostly come against weaker subcontinental sides or second-string opponents. Their only “big” series win (v Australia) arrived when Australia fielded an under-strength squad. Hesson’s Pakistan have yet to record a white-ball series win over a full-strength top side (losing to India at Asia Cup and Pakistan’s only losses under Hesson came against full-strength teams like India or strong West Indies sides). This pattern underscores that Pakistan’s successes so far have largely been against relatively minor teams or underdog XIs.

And we all know what happened in T20 World Cup 2026...

BTW reports nowadays also suggest that Hesson will have to go. But to me, it is not solely Hesson's job to fix the broken team, because it comes as a result of broken structure, hidden insiders' political agendas, shaping up Pak cricket this way.
 
Hesson was scapegoated conveniently by Aqib yesterday while saying that no one should be scape goated.

Said this before the series that this will be a captaincy ending series. Do not see Rizwan or Shaheen playing after this series. Akif and Usman are the immediate replacements which are almost like for like.

The captaincy will probably end up with Agha which is kind of fair. He isn't a T20 player but ODI & test cricket is his jam so he should be the person in charge for the next world cup.
 
GoUgandaCranes said:
Hesson was scapegoated conveniently by Aqib yesterday while saying that no one should be scape goated.

Said this before the series that this will be a captaincy ending series. Do not see Rizwan or Shaheen playing after this series. Akif and Usman are the immediate replacements which are almost like for like.

The captaincy will probably end up with Agha which is kind of fair. He isn't a T20 player but ODI & test cricket is his jam so he should be the person in charge for the next world cup.
Click to expand...
They tested Shaheen as captain earlier (very very brief stint) but was a poor start back then too, just like now.
 
GoUgandaCranes said:
Hesson was scapegoated conveniently by Aqib yesterday while saying that no one should be scape goated.

Said this before the series that this will be a captaincy ending series. Do not see Rizwan or Shaheen playing after this series. Akif and Usman are the immediate replacements which are almost like for like.

The captaincy will probably end up with Agha which is kind of fair. He isn't a T20 player but ODI & test cricket is his jam so he should be the person in charge for the next world cup.
Click to expand...
I honestly hope we don't see Rizwan anymore in limited overs. He sucks the life out of the team. He technique was never the greatest and he is getting exposed now as he's getting older.

Akif is a miss and hit bowler, but would still prefer him over shaheen, who I am afraid looks done.
 
Ball Blazer said:
They tested Shaheen as captain earlier (very very brief stint) but was a poor start back then too, just like now.
Click to expand...

It is unfortunate for us that Shaheen has regressed this much. From being compared to Wasim & Starc, he's not even fit to lace the shoes of Vaas & even Sohail Tanveer seems like a better bowler than him let alone Muhammad Irfan, Amir, or Junaid Khan.

For a fact I know that he has tendinitis in his elbow which has caused him problems but not sure about his knee post injury.

He has never been captaincy material. Lahore Qalandars did rise during his captaincy but he is not level headed enough to actually be in such a position.

Agha will be an upgrade but they just need to drop Agha from T20 cricket so he can focus on the world cup next year. Pak white ball talent is decent, we may actually reach the semi finals for once.

Maaz, Saim, Hassan Nawaz, Kamran Ghulam are all aggressive batters who can bowl decently.
Akif, Naseem, Wasim, Ali Raza, & Khurram are decent enough fast bowlers.
Usman Khan can be given a run for an entire year to find his feet as the keeper batter.
Abrar, Faisal, & Tariq can be used as spinners.
Fakhar may have one more world cup in his legs.
 
Sunny_majoka said:
How many coaches will you change
Click to expand...
PCT's legacy of maltreating foreign coaches.

Insider news reports that he'd likely go.

I swear it's cursed of all those foreign coaches who were let go in an insulting way by PCB that Pakistan aint winning any!
 
GoUgandaCranes said:
Hesson was scapegoated conveniently by Aqib yesterday while saying that no one should be scape goated.

Said this before the series that this will be a captaincy ending series. Do not see Rizwan or Shaheen playing after this series. Akif and Usman are the immediate replacements which are almost like for like.

The captaincy will probably end up with Agha which is kind of fair. He isn't a T20 player but ODI & test cricket is his jam so he should be the person in charge for the next world cup.
Click to expand...
This should be last time trundler as captain for odi

He is not a captaincy material
 
Quick, whats going to be the title of Hesson's autobiography of his time as Pakistan coach?

Some options:

- How I Learned To Love Learns

- King? Ghantey Ka King!

- How Naqvi Ran Away With My Passport
 
Pakpak said:
Not a single positive result since IK was deposed.

You had once in a lifetime chance with 2 top coaches like Kirsten and Gillepsie and these fools in Naqvi and Aqib ruined it all.
Click to expand...
Yes you were winning World cups after world cups under Imran.khans rule

And Imran was the one who brought the player power virus and gave unlimited power to Babar and also Rizwan.
 
Hesson isn't a bad coach. Under him, Pak made it to AsiaCup Final 2025 (It is something which no SENA team has ever achieved). Pak made it to Super8. That's something even the mighty Aus failed to do. Pak even managed to secure a point against WT20 Finalist (NZ). Not many teams can achieve that.
 
TheRock said:
Hesson isn't a bad coach. Under him, Pak made it to AsiaCup Final 2025 (It is something which no SENA team has ever achieved). Pak made it to Super8. That's something even the mighty Aus failed to do. Pak even managed to secure a point against WT20 Finalist (NZ). Not many teams can achieve that.
Click to expand...
And Bangladesh beat Pakistan which even the great SENA teams SA and Aus couldn't do looks like a Bangladesh Pakistan final is coming next year ICC needs to keep them apart in the semis so we don't miss the El Classico in the final.
 
shah9425 said:
This should be last time trundler as captain for odi

He is not a captaincy material
Click to expand...

It's hard to like any player long term. You may say I am nitpicking again but the moment Agha got his century, his motivation to score more clearly dwindled. Instead of the more sensible play that he had been doing till then, he resorted to mindless slogs without even considering that Rishad had to bowl.

It just at times feel that they are all playing for themselves and doing the bare minimum & when it's done, they mentally check out.
 
Hesson seem to love allrounders.

Who are not really allrounders but pathetic bits and pieces cricketers. Shadab, Faheem, Nawaz.

His obsession is mind boggling. Don't think he has it in him to improve PAK. We need a visionary who can develop specialist batters who can take on modern pace bowlers.
 
Hawkeye said:
Hesson seem to love allrounders.

Who are not really allrounders but pathetic bits and pieces cricketers. Shadab, Faheem, Nawaz.

His obsession is mind boggling. Don't think he has it in him to improve PAK. We need a visionary who can develop specialist batters who can take on modern pace bowlers.
Click to expand...
Faheem with his experience failed with the bat today should be the end for him in ODIS... Such performances from seniors should be looked at.
 
Hawkeye said:
Hesson seem to love allrounders.

Who are not really allrounders but pathetic bits and pieces cricketers. Shadab, Faheem, Nawaz.

His obsession is mind boggling. Don't think he has it in him to improve PAK. We need a visionary who can develop specialist batters who can take on modern pace bowlers.
Click to expand...

Yeah. He seems to prefer having all-rounders.

Even when he was the coach of NZ, NZ had many all-rounders like Nathan McCullum, Oram, Styris etc.
 
Cric1234 said:
Faheem with his experience failed with the bat today should be the end for him in ODIS... Such performances from seniors should be looked at.
Click to expand...
Its Faheem Ashrafs 44th ODI.

His batting average is 14.85
And bowling average is 44.96

He is only in the team as he is friends with our dear chairman.
 
If he continues to be obsessed with the Islamabad United Party and keep shaking aaqib hands in making clownish decisions, he better go...
 
Mike Hesson took over the coaching role for Pakistan after the PSL last year, and the numbers since then show a very clear improvement.

Under him, in completed matches, Pakistan have won 35 games and lost 17. That’s a strong win-loss ratio of 2.06.

Now compare that to the period between PSL 2024 and 2025, where Pakistan managed just 17 wins and 26 losses in limited overs formats: a poor win-loss ratio of 0.65.

These stats clearly suggest that Pakistan have performed nearly three times better under Mike Hesson than they did in the previous phase.

A lot of fans tend to mix up Pakistan’s struggles from the last couple of years with the current team under Hesson. But the data makes it clear that this is a different phase and things are improving.

It’s also important to remember that Hesson has taken charge during a transition period. Despite that, he has done a commendable job in his very first year. With more youngsters coming through and a few already waiting in the wings, there is definite potential for further growth.

Most importantly, Pakistan have started playing a much better brand of cricket under him, especially in T20s.
 
RyanRyan10 said:
Mike Hesson took over the coaching role for Pakistan after the PSL last year, and the numbers since then show a very clear improvement.

Under him, in completed matches, Pakistan have won 35 games and lost 17. That’s a strong win-loss ratio of 2.06.

Now compare that to the period between PSL 2024 and 2025, where Pakistan managed just 17 wins and 26 losses in limited overs formats: a poor win-loss ratio of 0.65.

These stats clearly suggest that Pakistan have performed nearly three times better under Mike Hesson than they did in the previous phase.

A lot of fans tend to mix up Pakistan’s struggles from the last couple of years with the current team under Hesson. But the data makes it clear that this is a different phase and things are improving.

It’s also important to remember that Hesson has taken charge during a transition period. Despite that, he has done a commendable job in his very first year. With more youngsters coming through and a few already waiting in the wings, there is definite potential for further growth.

Most importantly, Pakistan have started playing a much better brand of cricket under him, especially in T20s.
Click to expand...
What a delusional post....
 
Hesson has some serious questions to answer regarding selections and team composition. I did back him at the start but would appreciate some insight into his tactics.
 
When some fans can do a better job than high paid coach that tells you everything...... Who picks Babar with his recent performances over Hassan who has a strike rate of 154 in T20s? And these all rounders who always flop against the best teams what's the reason for backing them when we don't even have 1 world class all rounder?
 
Kianig89 said:
Before Hesson, Pakistan won series in Aus & SA, what have they achieved now ?????
Click to expand...
Just before Hesson,,,

They lost 3-0 in Australia in T20i
They lost 2-0 in South Africa in T20i
They lost 2-0 at home v New Zealand in Tri series
They lost 2-0 at home v NZ and India in CT
They lost 3-0 in New Zealand in ODI
They lost 4-1 to New Zealand in T20i

You want to share this too or this is not in line with your Nasli Munafiqat?
 
RyanRyan10 said:
Mike Hesson took over the coaching role for Pakistan after the PSL last year, and the numbers since then show a very clear improvement.

Under him, in completed matches, Pakistan have won 35 games and lost 17. That’s a strong win-loss ratio of 2.06.

Now compare that to the period between PSL 2024 and 2025, where Pakistan managed just 17 wins and 26 losses in limited overs formats: a poor win-loss ratio of 0.65.

These stats clearly suggest that Pakistan have performed nearly three times better under Mike Hesson than they did in the previous phase.

A lot of fans tend to mix up Pakistan’s struggles from the last couple of years with the current team under Hesson. But the data makes it clear that this is a different phase and things are improving.

It’s also important to remember that Hesson has taken charge during a transition period. Despite that, he has done a commendable job in his very first year. With more youngsters coming through and a few already waiting in the wings, there is definite potential for further growth.

Most importantly, Pakistan have started playing a much better brand of cricket under him, especially in T20s.
Click to expand...
Great post

Hesson is a great coach for this crappy talent pool. He’s maximised it far more than anyone can imagine. He should be the Pakistan white ball coach for 5 years. These freshies with a mental scope that doesn’t go beyond Gol Bazaar in Lahore can cry all they want. They are clueless. They want some joker like Tanveer Ahmed who will open with Babar Azam in T20is or put in Imam ul Haq in ODIs

Inko roney dou. Hesson is the need of Pakistan!
 
topspin said:
What about your Babar Azam delusions and how you are trying to turn PakPassion into BabarPassion?
Click to expand...
I don't care about babar. He failed badly in t20 world.. Another one... His time is up but the coach was as clueless as Babar was... he did not know where to play him. Should have neven picked him with such uncertainity.
 
GoUgandaCranes said:
It's hard to like any player long term. You may say I am nitpicking again but the moment Agha got his century, his motivation to score more clearly dwindled. Instead of the more sensible play that he had been doing till then, he resorted to mindless slogs without even considering that Rishad had to bowl.

It just at times feel that they are all playing for themselves and doing the bare minimum & when it's done, they mentally check out.
Click to expand...
This is Big problem

But if I have to choose between trundler and chewing gum boy

I will take chewing gum guy any day over trundler
 
Ball Blazer said:

Mike Hesson’s Pakistan Tenure and Series Results​

Mike Hesson was appointed Pakistan’s white-ball coach effective 26 May 2025. Since then, Pakistan have played only limited-overs series. In July 2025 they lost a 3‑match T20I tour of Bangladesh 1–2. In August 2025 Pakistan toured the USA/West Indies: they won the T20I series 2–1 but lost the 3‑ODI series 1–2. At the September 2025 T20 Asia Cup Pakistan’s wins came only against minnows (Oman and UAE) while they lost to full-strength India. I

n a Pakistan tri-series (Nov 2025, v Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe) they reached the final and beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets. In January 2026 Pakistan visited Sri Lanka for 3 T20Is (no Tests). Pakistan won the opener and Sri Lanka won the decider (one game was washed out), so the series ended 1–1. (Notably Pakistan had rested stars Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi for that tour, and Sri Lanka fielded a mix of fringe players.)

Finally, in Jan–Feb 2026 Pakistan hosted Australia for three T20Is and achieved a 3–0 whitewash. Even here, reports noted that Australia “isn’t their full-strength side” – Pakistan’s first T20 series win over Australia since 2018. Pakistan are now 1–1 in the ongoing March 2026 ODI series at Bangladesh (won second match by 127 runs to level the series).

Since Hesson took charge Pakistan’s victories have mostly come against weaker subcontinental sides or second-string opponents. Their only “big” series win (v Australia) arrived when Australia fielded an under-strength squad. Hesson’s Pakistan have yet to record a white-ball series win over a full-strength top side (losing to India at Asia Cup and Pakistan’s only losses under Hesson came against full-strength teams like India or strong West Indies sides). This pattern underscores that Pakistan’s successes so far have largely been against relatively minor teams or underdog XIs.

And we all know what happened in T20 World Cup 2026...

BTW reports nowadays also suggest that Hesson will have to go. But to me, it is not solely Hesson's job to fix the broken team, because it comes as a result of broken structure, hidden insiders' political agendas, shaping up Pak cricket this way.
Click to expand...
I think the correct question would be more do we have a squad of at least 20 dependable cricketers tested in all formats against all opposition both home and away. Until that point arrives and it could take a long time any question of replacing a coach is redundant. You can play musical chairs with heads and coaches all you like but right now we pretty much field an inferior 11 in every match and there is little a coach can do except go through the process of player development.

Of course it’s up to the coach to develop players but testing in leagues or nets is one thing they still have to make that leap in real match scenarios to be international standard.
 
Abid Z said:
I think the correct question would be more do we have a squad of at least 20 dependable cricketers tested in all formats against all opposition both home and away. Until that point arrives and it could take a long time any question of replacing a coach is redundant. You can play musical chairs with heads and coaches all you like but right now we pretty much field an inferior 11 in every match and there is little a coach can do except go through the process of player development.

Of course it’s up to the coach to develop players but testing in leagues or nets is one thing they still have to make that leap in real match scenarios to be international standard.
Click to expand...
And it's quite unclear how much actual say Hesson had over the overall squad.

From his post match pressers, it was clear he didn't have any answers for the Babar selection .

It seemed pretty clear that his hand was forced when it came to selecting Babar.

Or even the selection of all 3 of Shadab, Faheem and Nawaz in a playing XI when it's clear that Hesson actually preferred playing the extra batsman

That has to be taken into account while judging Hesson's results.
 
Nikhil_cric said:
From his post match pressers, it was clear he didn't have any answers for the Babar selection .

It seemed pretty clear that his hand was forced when it came to selecting Babar
Click to expand...
I rate Hesson. I like him. I hope he stays,

But he and Agha both went to Aqib after the Asia Cup to force/change his mind on Babar.

This is on them.
 
Rana said:
I rate Hesson. I like him. I hope he stays,

But he and Agha both went to Aqib after the Asia Cup to force/change his mind on Babar.

This is on them.
Click to expand...
OK. I wasn't aware of that. Then yeah it's on them if they selected , despite his torrid form in the BBL
 
Nikhil_cric said:
OK. I wasn't aware of that. Then yeah it's on them if they selected , despite his torrid form in the BBL
Click to expand...
Imad Wasim warned Hesson at the time when he accepted the Pakistan offer. He said to him that he’s going to need all the good luck he can get. Pakistan cricket head coach isn’t a simple job for guys with this mindset.

I believe Hesson+Agha wanted Babar in the squad for damage control. They simply couldn’t handle the pressure built up on them by fans like @Kianig89 and sellout journalists. It would have been impossible for them to operate for the next 3 months in the lead up to the T20 World Cup without Babar in their plans. All players would be under extreme scrutiny and pressure to perform.

It was the coward’s way for what they did to add him, but I don’t blame them in these circumstances.
 
Who are the experts/analysts that hate Mike Hesson with a passion?

Salman Butt?
Tanveer Ahmed?
Basit Ali?
Nauman Niaz?
Aamir Sohail?


What do they all have in common?
 
Pakpak said:
Not a single positive result since IK was deposed.

You had once in a lifetime chance with 2 top coaches like Kirsten and Gillepsie and these fools in Naqvi and Aqib ruined it all.
Click to expand...

One rare occasion where I fully agree with you.
 
cricketjoshila said:
One rare occasion where I fully agree with you.
Click to expand...
Even with the first part aside? I don’t want to get into the political angle. And to be fair to Imran Khan, the ideas he introduced were scrapped within a few years, so we never really got to see if that model would have worked.

That said, Pakistan’s performances during that period weren’t great either. On top of that, Babar Azam being given too much power under Ramiz Raja has arguably hurt Pakistan cricket the most
 
Rana said:
Who are the experts/analysts that hate Mike Hesson with a passion?

Salman Butt?
Tanveer Ahmed?
Basit Ali?
Nauman Niaz?
Aamir Sohail?


What do they all have in common?
Click to expand...
Anyone who's on TV/YouTube will always ready to blast the coach/management after the defeat. This is likely to never change.
 
Rana said:
Who are the experts/analysts that hate Mike Hesson with a passion?

Salman Butt?
Tanveer Ahmed?
Basit Ali?
Nauman Niaz?
Aamir Sohail?


What do they all have in common?
Click to expand...

Failed careers and they're all paid members of the RizBar backside consuming clan.
 
RyanRyan10 said:
Even with the first part aside? I don’t want to get into the political angle. And to be fair to Imran Khan, the ideas he introduced were scrapped within a few years, so we never really got to see if that model would have worked.

That said, Pakistan’s performances during that period weren’t great either. On top of that, Babar Azam being given too much power under Ramiz Raja has arguably hurt Pakistan cricket the most
Click to expand...

Ramiz raja wanted to create a media superstar out of babar, in doing that he hurt pct
 
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