Shoaib Akhtar lashes out at ‘senseless’ coaching
Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, appearing on ‘Game on Hai’ show on PTV Sports, launched a scathing attack on Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson after the team’s heavy defeat to India in Dubai.
“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,” Akhtar said.
He questioned the repeated selection decisions that ignored form and balance: “For the last 5–6 matches, we have been saying to pick a certain team, but no. What was Hussain Talat going to do in such a pressure game? What is Mohammad Nawaz’s utility? What is the captain’s utility?”
India had cruised past Pakistan in the Super Four clash, with Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 74 and Shubman Gill’s 47 leading a 105-run opening stand. Sharma later explained his own approach: “Today was pretty simple, the way they were coming out to us (Pakistani bowlers) without any reason, I did not like it at all. That is why I went after them. I wanted to deliver for the team.”
Akhtar outlines his vision for Pakistan cricket
Beyond criticism, Akhtar offered a vision for change if he were ever asked to take charge. “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. 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.’”
He insisted that young players needed security and confidence to thrive. “To fix Pakistan cricket, if I am given three years and handed the command, the children must be given confidence. ‘Saim, son, go play. Abhishek has a license, you also play. No problem, you won’t get dropped if you get out. Saim beta, the whole year is for you.’ I’ll see how performance doesn’t come. He is scared, poor boy. In a PSL game, it’s fine, runs happen. But you have to hit in a pressure game. Abhishek has a license, so he’s hitting it.”
Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid weigh in on Pakistan’s struggles
The debate over Pakistan cricket’s decline has extended beyond its borders. On the Beard Before Wicket podcast, England internationals Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid reflected on the team’s lack of consistency.
“I think Pakistan are just going through a period—have been for a while now—where there’s so much change within the government, first of all, and then that has an effect on the team,” Moeen said. He added: “Coaches come and they can’t really nail it down, and it’s not stable.”
Despite the instability, Moeen praised Pakistan’s ability to rise to big occasions: “They still do well and reach finals, especially when it comes to ICC tournaments. When we were playing, they were the most dangerous team.”
What’s next for Pakistan
From Shoaib Akhtar’s fiery takedowns to Moeen Ali’s sober reflections, the chorus of criticism underscores the crisis gripping Pakistan cricket. Political instability, administrative upheaval, and repeated changes in coaching have left the team without direction.
As Pakistan heads into a packed calendar, the pressure will mount on the PCB and team management to provide the continuity and clarity that players and fans are demanding.
