Pakistan’s former fiery fast bowler, Shoaib Akhtar, unleashed a scathing critique against head coach Mike Hesson in the wake of the national team’s crushing defeat to India in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s match in Dubai. Akhtar specifically targeted Hesson’s controversial decision to include Hussain Talat in the playing XI. Talat’s lackluster performance at No. 4, scoring a mere 10 runs off 11 balls without hitting a single boundary, severely hampered Pakistan’s scoring rate, causing them to falter at 171/5 after initially appearing set to surpass 200.
Speaking on the ‘Game On Hai’ program, Akhtar passionately questioned the rationale behind the coaching decisions, exclaiming, “The coach should be asked the questions – where are his brains? It is just senseless coaching and senseless selection of the team. It is beyond me, it feels like I am the one who is a fraud, who doesn’t understand a thing after playing 15 years of cricket.”
He expressed deep frustration over Talat’s inclusion in such a pivotal encounter, demanding, “In the last five-six games, we have been saying just play the right team. In an important fixture, you thought about playing Hussain Talat? How did you even think about it? What is his utility? Tell me.”
During the same lively panel discussion, fellow cricketer Shoaib Malik posed a hypothetical question to Akhtar: what changes would he implement if he were appointed as the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)? Akhtar, aged 50, initially brushed off the possibility, stating, “First of all, PCB will never ask me to do this job. The reason is that I’m going to do the right thing, whatever is necessary. I’m not saying give me the power. I believe in teamwork. I believe in logic. I believe in working together.” He further elaborated on his vision for a different leadership style, emphasizing, “It’s not about ‘give me the power and I’ll fix it.’ No, no, no, it’s not like that. I would rather have a 20-member selection committee. I will take their advice: ‘What do you guys say? Tell me.’”
Poll: Should Hussain Talat have been included in the playing XI against India?
- Yes, he should have.
- No, he should not have.
Akhtar also underscored the critical importance of consistently supporting young talent. He articulated his strategy: “To fix Pakistan cricket, if I am given three years and handed the command, the children must be given confidence. I will tell them ‘Saim Ayub, son, go play… No problem, you won’t get dropped if you get out.’”