BAN VS PAK: Mike Hesson Admits Pakistan’s Batting Was Exposed In 1st ODI.

Pakistan’s white-ball coach Mike Hesson admitted that Pakistan’s batters were exposed against Bangladesh’s good bowling following a chastening 8-wicket loss in the first ODI in Dhaka. The defeat, which is Pakistan’s fourth heaviest in terms of balls remaining, came after a scintillating five-wicket haul from fast bowler Nahd Rana as Pakistan were bowled out for 114, their lowest ODI total against Bangladesh. In response, Bangladesh hunted the total down in 15.1 overs.

Mike Hesson on Pakistan’s abysmal batting display. 

Speaking to reporters after the game, Mike Hesson said: “It’s a pretty disappointing batting performance. I don’t think there’s any shying away from that. It wasn’t just the youngsters, we were exposed against some good bowling and we went into our shell a little bit, and we have to turn things around really quickly.” 

The game was dominated by one of the greatest ODI performances by a Bangladesh fast bowler. Rana, who first made his name during his heroics on flat wickets in Pakistan in a Test series the visitors won 2-0, had played just ODIs until today. When he was brought on in the tenth over, Pakistan were yet to lose a wicket. But he would double his ODI wickets tally inside five overs, striking in each of the first five overs to spectacularly derail Pakistan’s innings.

Mike Hesson is satisfied with pitch and praises Nahid Rana. 

Mike Hesson who memorably and to Bangladesh’s dismay was critical of the slow, turning wickets Bangladesh prepared during Pakistan’s visit for a T20 series July, conceded there was nothing wrong this time around, and heaped praise of Nahid Rana.

Mike Hesson said: “The wicket was fine. It played really well. Nahid Rana was exceptional. Until he came into the game, we were ticking along okay, and he changed the game. He bowled into the wicket, created some variation and bounce, which he’s allowed to do when he’s bowling at that pace. And we didn’t respond as well as we needed to. So all credit to him.” 

The focus in the build-up for Pakistan centred on their decision to give four players their maiden ODI caps the first time since 2008 Pakistan have fielded four debutants. With changes to the selection panel for the men’s side also made public last week, as Misbah Ul Haq and Sarafaraz Ahmed came in, the changes were a clear statement of intent.

But it was one that, today, at least, backfired sharply. The four batters combined for a total of 49 runs, with Shamyl Hussain in particular looking particularly uncomfortable against Rana’s pace. He was dropped once in a forgettable seven-ball innings, which ended when ill judgment caused him to lash at a short ball from Rana straight up, to the keeper.

Mike Hesson defends the young players and their selections to play them. 

Mike Hesson defended the young players, as well as the decision to select them. Mike Hesson said: “Youngsters have got to learn. It wasn’t just the youngsters who struggled. All of us need to stand up and put in a better performance with the bat and we’re certainly going to try and do that in games 2 and 3.” 

With Pakistan opting against selecting Haris Rauf, they did not have anyone in their line-up to match Rana’s raw pace. Hesson dismissed the idea that Pakistan struggled at dealing with the extra speed, but defended his bowlers even if in this view, they went searching.

Mike Hesson said: “You face that pace all the time. He bowled in good areas, he was aggressive, he bowled good bouncers. He deserved what he got. When you’re defending a well below par total, even if you want to be disciplined and create pressure, you do go searching a little bit. And I think there’s no doubt we went searching with the balls. We weren’t able to execute as many balls as we wanted to. You can play with a bit of freedom when you’re chasing a score like that. All in all, it was a poor day’s work and one we’re going to have to turn around really quickly.” 

Mike Hesson on youngsters needing to learn and looking ahead to the next match. 

Mike Hesson reckoned: “Youngsters have got to learn. You’ve got to give them opportunities to learn and grow. We would love them to run out and score a hundred on debut but they have to go through some tough challenges. We have to show some resilience over the next few days and fight well in the next game.” 

Ahead of second ODI, Mike Hesson concluded: “We’re looking forward to the next match. There’s a bit of reflection to do on today’s performance. I don’t think we’ll underestimate that we were poor and we were exposed with the bat.”

So, the stage is set for the second of three ODIs to take place in Mirpur as two gladiators Bangladesh and Pakistan meets on Friday. Pakistan desperate to level the series 1-1 while Bangladesh aims to seal the series in this game itself. A cracking game awaits us tomorrow.

Also Read: BAN vs PAK: 3 Reasons For Pakistan’s Embarrassing Defeat In 1st ODI