Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has claimed that head coach Mike Hesson is not in the good books of those who advice Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Moshin Naqvi. His remarks come after Pakistan exited the T20 World Cup 2026 in the Super 8 stage and the questions surrounding the selection of players in the 15-member squad for the tournament. Ali claimed that Pakistan selectors like Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq will never work under Hesson.
Mike Hesson’s tenure as Pakistan coach coming to end?
Speaking on Game Plan YouTube show, Ali claimed that while the decision on Hesson’s future as coach will be taken by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, he is currently not in the good books of those who advise the latter. He further claimed that the former New Zealand coach is no longer getting the same support as he used to get before, and can forget that he can choose 15 members of the squad after Pakistan’s debacle.
“Mike Hesson is not in the good books. I am not talking about Mohsin Naqvi. I am talking about people who advise Naqvi. Hesson is not in their good books. The decision has to be taken by the chairman. The winds that were blowing in favour of Mike Hesson have now changed. Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed will never work under Mike Hesson. I am willing to give it in writing. Hesson can now forget that he will get to choose the 15 members of the squad,” Ali claimed.
Ali’s remarks also come a day after Pakistan selector Aaqib Javed, in a press conference with the rest of the selectors, had claimed that the injuries of Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman during the T20 WC were hidden from the selectors. The selectors have sought an inquiry into the matter by the PCB. Ali questioned the logic behind appointing Hesson as the head coach solely on the basis of his performance in the PSL.
“Why was he made the coach? You made him the coach based on his performance in the Pakistan Super League. Anyway, the third and final ODI against Bangladesh is very important for Hesson,” Basit added.
