Shoaib Akhtar Lashes Out At New Pakistan Head Coach Mike Hesson

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-08-14 16:48:37 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-06-19 14:19:24

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Pakistan cricketing legend Shoaib Akhtar has slammed the PCB's decision to appoint Mike Hesson as the new head coach of the national team, claiming the former New Zealand coach doesn't "know what qualities he has."

Akhtar's outburst comes less than a week after Hesson was appointed as the head coach of Pakistan's white-ball teams, raising questions about the lack of experience of the newly appointed coach regarding the Pakistani team and the dynamics of the region.

"I think this decision is based on familiarity. It is clear that the PCB does not want to give opportunities to local coaches. They are not willing to give them the chance to learn and develop," Akhtar said.

"If you appoint someone like Hesson, then let him do the work himself. You don't appoint him with the notion that he will supervise local coaches. I don't think Hesson has the experience or knows what qualities he has to transform the Pakistan team," he added.

The former speedster concluded his remarks by reiterating his stance that the PCB should have appointed a local coach with a clear roadmap and a long-term vision.

"If you want to see local coaches thriving and performing, give them responsibility and let them learn and develop while doing the job. Appoint someone who has a long-term vision for the country and the team," Akhtar said.

"Pakistan should have a clear roadmap as to what they want to do in the next four to eight years."

These comments from Shoaib Akhtar highlight the growing concern over the appointment of foreign coaches without a clear direction or plan for the Pakistani team. Given the team's historic successes under local coaching legends, there are certainly calls for a revisiting of the decision to appoint yet another foreign coach with no experience in the region or knowledge of the players.

Given the recent spotlight on the importance of local knowledge and management, as well as a growing emphasis on holistic teambuilding and training environments, the future of the Pakistani cricketing team remains uncertain with the newly appointed foreign coach, Mike Hesson.

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