'I want Pak team to be nation's pride'

Pakistan's new white-ball head coach Mike Hesson appeared in a recent interview on 关键字2the PCB Podcast, and shared his coaching philosophy and vision for the team's future.

Speaking candidly with former Test cricketer Bazid Khan, Hesson discussed his approach to player development, team culture, and what he hopes to achieve during his tenure with the Pakistan national team.

Looking ahead, Hesson's long-term goal is to leave a legacy that extends beyond immediate results. "I would like the Pakistan public to say, 'This is a great team to watch,'" he reflected.

Hesson, who brings years of experience from previous coaching roles, including the New Zealand cricket team, highlighted that his focus as a coach isn't on dictating how players should perform but rather on maximising their individual talents.

"Coaching is about trying to maximise talent. It's not necessarily about telling them about the greater things that I have played during my time," Hesson said.

He also emphasised the importance of building strong relationships with players.

"Once you understand a player's journey, you can add value," he explained, noting that coaching is a more holistic approach rather than a one-size-fits-all model.

His strategy revolves around understanding each player's background, what motivates them, and their specific goals before offering tailored guidance.

For Hesson, communication plays a pivotal role. "Players deserve the right to know what's expected of them," he added, stressing that technical coaching and constant observation are key to his method.

"It's about observing a player first before deciding when to intervene," he said.

A significant part of Hesson's plan involves working closely with Pakistan's domestic circuit to spot talent. He noted the importance of developing clear pathways for emerging players.

"There'll be identified groups of players where I'll be keen to go and have a look, talk, and meet players," he said. "This will ensure that players are well-trained, versatile, and ready to step up when called upon for national duties."

In the years to come, Hesson hopes to lay a foundation for success that will endure after his departure, ensuring a smooth succession for future coaches.

"If when you leave, things fall over, then you haven't done a great job," he concluded, adding that his focus is on building a sustainable model.

Hesson's approach appears to be driven by a strong sense of long-term planning, aiming to not only improve the current team but also shape Pakistan's cricketing future for years to come.

Uncertainty surrounds Asia Cup 2025: report

The fate of this year's ACC Men's Asia Cup hangs in balance due to the recent cross-border tensions between two cricketing giants, Pakistan and India.

The six-team tournament, originally set to be hosted by India, now faces significant hurdles due to ongoing political tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

Last month, reports emerged that the defending champions and host are eyeing to pull out of the tournament due to the aforementioned reasons but the claims were soon after quashed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Meanwhile, as per the latest development, a top BCCI official has refused to confirm India's availability for the tournament, stating that they did not have any discussions regarding the Asia Cup.

"To be honest, we have had no discussions within the board about the Asia Cup," a top official of the BCCI told Reuters, refusing to confirm whether the tournament will go ahead as scheduled. "We have been busy with the Indian Premier League and then we have India's tour of England. These are our immediate concerns," he added.

Similarly, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was also uncertain about its men's team's participation in the continental event as well.

"We will cross that bridge when we come to it," the PCB told Reuters in a statement. Earlier this week, ACC also announced the postponement of the Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2025, which was originally scheduled to begin on June 6 in Sri Lanka.

The decision follows a request from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Shammi Silva, who wrote to ACC President Mohsin Naqvi, seeking a postponement due to unfavourable weather conditions and growing health concerns related to the chikungunya virus outbreak in the region.