Pakistan’s disappointing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign is now being followed by turmoil off the field.
Concerns over the leadership and authority of Head Coach Mike Hesson have surfaced inside the national setup, with multiple players reportedly approaching the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during the tournament to raise complaints about his conduct, according to a report in Geo News.
Players raise concerns during the World Cup campaign
The fallout from Pakistan’s Super 8 elimination has extended beyond on-field results, with internal tensions reportedly building during the tournament itself.
Several players are reported to have directly contacted PCB officials to express dissatisfaction with the environment inside the dressing room and the coach’s approach to decision-making.
According to the report, complaints centred on Hesson’s planning, authority and man-management during the campaign. Insiders suggested that his rigid leadership style and unilateral decision-making created discomfort within the squad and led to growing frustration among players.
Key matters, including tactical decisions and aspects of team management, were reportedly handled by the Head Coach without consultation with senior players or the captain.
PCB reviewing conduct but unlikely to remove coach
The Pakistan Cricket Board has not moved to dismiss Hesson, but senior officials have begun examining the situation following the team’s early exit.
The board is expected to review the team’s tour report and assess Hesson’s conduct with the squad before holding discussions with the coach. Sources suggest the PCB may issue a formal warning regarding concerns that planning flaws and unilateral decision-making may have impacted the team’s performance during the tournament.
Despite the controversy, the board is believed to favour continuity in the coaching role. Hesson reportedly holds a two-year contract with the PCB, and there is currently no immediate indication that the board intends to terminate his appointment.
Authority concerns extend to captain and selection panel
Questions around the Head Coach’s authority reportedly extend beyond the dressing room and into the team’s leadership and selection structure.
Well-placed sources indicated that both the selection committee and captain Salman Ali Agha struggled to challenge Hesson’s influence over team affairs. The coach is said to have exercised sweeping control across multiple aspects of the setup, including squad selection and match-day decisions.
His growing authority is also believed to have contributed to the resignation of former selector Aleem Dar following the World Cup.
Dar reportedly felt sidelined during selection discussions and had disagreements over the composition of the tournament squad. Sources familiar with the matter suggested Dar opposed the inclusion of Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Usman Khan in the final group selected for the competition.
The former umpire had also advocated moving wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan to the No. 6 position, arguing that the team should show similar faith in Rizwan if opportunities were being given to players struggling for form.
Selection calls and team decisions draw scrutiny
The coach’s influence is also believed to have extended to decisions regarding the playing XI and batting order throughout the tournament.
Reports indicate that selections — including the omission of Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay and Abrar Ahmed from several matches — were taken under Hesson’s direction, with the trio’s usage during the tournament becoming a point of debate around team selection.
His role within the selection committee had already been a point of contention before the tournament, with critics questioning the concentration of authority within the coaching role.
The debate over leadership has intensified in the wake of Pakistan’s heavy defeat to India and their narrow loss to England during the Super 8 stage, results that triggered broader scrutiny of the team’s planning and management structure.
Wider challenges within Pakistan cricket
The situation surrounding Hesson adds to a series of recent leadership disputes within Pakistan cricket.
Earlier, former Test Head Coach Jason Gillespie resigned from his role after levelling serious allegations against Aaqib Javed. Observers have since questioned Aaqib Javed’s silence regarding the latest selection and management issues that have emerged after the World Cup.
