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Shoaib Akhtar questions Mike Hesson, calls Pakistan team selection 'senseless'

Shreyasi

Shoaib Akhtar slammed Pakistan head coach [Source: @MykhelTamil/X]Shoaib Akhtar slammed Pakistan head coach [Source: @MykhelTamil/X]

Pakistan lost to India yet again on Sunday night in Dubai. After losing in the group stage, the arch-rivals met again for the second time in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The Super Four face-off saw India comfortably beating Pakistan by six wickets.

India beat Pakistan yet again

The way India eventually thrashed Pakistan in Dubai did not go well with former Pakistan players and experts. They have shown disappointment and criticised the team management, especially coach Mike Hesson, for an aimless showcase by the side at the ground.

After finishing first and second respectively on the Group A points table, India and Pakistan took on each other in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup. Batting first, Pakistan set a target of 172, led by Sahibzada Farhan’s 58. However, a 105-run opening stand between Abhishek Sharma (74) and Shubman Gill (47) made the chase easy for India. Eventually, India won by six wickets with seven balls remaining.

Shoaib Akhtar questions Hesson's coaching

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar took a dig at the team’s coach, Mike Hesson. According to him, the coach should be questioned for the “senseless selection” of the team.

"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," said Akhtar.

Akhtar disappointed with team selection and captain's role

While reviewing the match with Tapmad, Akhtar further raised questions about selecting some players. He specifically was not pleased by the captain, Salman Agha, who scored 0, 3, 20, and  17* and claimed 1/9 against the UAE.

"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?" the Rawalpindi Express asked.

Pakistan will now take on Sri Lanka on Tuesday in their next Super Four encounter in Abu Dhabi. India, on the other hand, will face Bangladesh in their next on September 24, Wednesday in Dubai. If both teams end as the table-toppers, fans could get another chance to experience their rivalry in the final of the Asia Cup on Sunday, September 28.