Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup Super 8 stage has pushed the team into another period of uncertainty. Led by captain Salman Ali Agha, the side delivered disappointing performances and suffered heavy defeats against archrivals India and England. Because of the poor campaign, reports say players could face heavy fines and the captain’s position might also be under threat, while discussions about possible changes in the coaching setup have begun.
Amid the fallout, a report by Geo Super claimed that tensions inside the dressing room grew during the tournament, with several players unhappy with head coach Mike Hesson’s way of running the team. According to the report, some players directly raised their concerns with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials while the tournament was still going on.“During the tournament, several Pakistan players are said to have individually approached PCB officials to complain about the coach’s behaviour,” the report stated.Sources quoted in the report said Hesson’s strict style and the way he made decisions without discussing them with players created discomfort in the team environment. “Insiders allege that his rigid approach and decisions taken without consultation unsettled the dressing room. It is further claimed that key matters were decided without consulting the captain, with Hesson frequently intervening in all aspects of team management,” it added.PCB officials are now reviewing what happened during the tournament and examining Hesson’s conduct before deciding the next steps. “Senior officials are currently reviewing his conduct with the squad and are expected to examine the tour report before holding detailed discussions with the coach,” the report stated.The report also suggested that neither the selection panel nor captain Salman Ali Agha felt able to challenge Hesson’s authority during the World Cup.It continued, “Well-placed sources claim that both the selection panel and captain Salman Ali Agha were unable to challenge Hesson’s authority, with the coach reportedly exercising sweeping control over team affairs.”However, despite the controversy, Hesson may still keep his job because he recently signed a long-term deal. “Hesson is understood to have signed a two-year contract with the PCB, and the board remains committed to maintaining stability in the head coach’s role,” the report concluded.
