Newly appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has begun to assert his influence over Pakistan’s team selection, reportedly overriding several choices made by the selection committee, sources have told Telecomasia.net.
Pakistan announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, set to begin next week. The squad featured some surprising inclusions and notable omissions that have raised eyebrows across the cricketing community.
Young fast bowler Abbas Afridi, currently the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Pakistan Super League, was left out. Promising left-arm spinner Sufyan Muqeem, who impressed in recent international appearances, was also excluded.
Star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were left out for a third successive T20I series, while pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi was marked as ‘rested’.
Hesson held several meetings with the selection committee, which is currently headed by former head coach Aaqib Javed. Although he initially pushed for Rizwan and Babar’s inclusion, Hesson eventually agreed to try new players for this series.
Sources added that after receiving the initial list of 16 players, Hesson made several changes. “He dropped Abbas Afridi, Haider Ali, and Muqeem, and brought in Naseem Shah, Hussain Talat, and Faheem Ashraf — the latter three all linked with Islamabad United, the franchise Hesson coaches in the PSL.”
The selection of Naseem and Talat has raised questions. Naseem has not featured in Pakistan’s recent T20I squads and is yet to hit top form in the PSL, while Talat last played for the national side in February 2021 and has struggled for consistency.
In a recent podcast, Hesson said his selection approach would factor in experience and popularity. “Selections will be based on roles within the team,” he stated. “My goal is to build a competitive side that plays engaging cricket.”
With increasing control over team affairs, Hesson is also expected to restructure the backroom staff. The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the departure of Azhar Mahmood (bowling coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), and Masroor Ahmed (fielding coach), signalling a broader overhaul of the support team.
