Hesson stamps authority in selection
\n LAHORE
\nThe newly appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has begun to assert his influence over Pakistan\u2019s team selection, reportedly overriding several choices made by the selection committee for the upcoming T20 series against Bangladesh starting later this month, sources told Telecomasia.net.
\nThe national selectors announced a 16-member squad for the series and the squad featured some surprising inclusions and notable omissions that have raised eyebrows across the cricketing community.
\nYoung fast bowler Abbas Afridi, currently the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Pakistan Super League, was left out. Promising left-arm spinner Sufyan Muqeem, who impressed in recent international appearances, was also excluded.
\nStar batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were left out for a third successive T20I series, while pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi was marked as \u2018rested\u2019.
\nReliable PCB source relvealed that Hesson held several meetings with the selection committee, which is currently headed by former head coach Aaqib Javed. Although he initially pushed for Rizwan and Babar\u2019s inclusion, Hesson insisted on trying new players for the Bangladesh series.
\nSources confirmed that after receiving the initial list of 16 players, Hesson made several changes. \u201cHe dropped Abbas Afridi, Haider Ali, and Muqeem, and brought in Naseem Shah, Hussain Talat, and Faheem Ashraf \u2014 the latter three all linked with Islamabad United, the franchise Hesson coaches in the PSL,\u201d they said.
\n\u201cSelections will be based on roles within the team,\u201d he stated. \u201cMy goal is to build a competitive side that plays engaging cricket.\u201d<\/p>\n
The selection of Naseem and Talat has raised serious questions. Naseem has not featured in Pakistan\u2019s recent T20I squads and is yet to hit top form in the PSL, while Talat last played for the national side in February 2021 and has struggled for consistency. In a recent podcast, the New Zealander said his selection approach would factor in experience and popularity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hesson stamps authority in selection LAHORE The newly appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has begun to assert his influence over Pakistan\u2019s team selection, reportedly overriding several choices made by the selection committee for the upcoming T20 series against Bangladesh starting later this month, sources told Telecomasia.net. The national selectors announced a 16-member squad for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":480646,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-480624","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n