Former Pakistan captain Basit Ali has indirectly called for the sacking of men’s head coach Mike Hesson for the huge, eight wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first ODI in Mirpur, Dhaka on Wednesday, March 11th. Basit slammed Hesson for what he felt was too aggressive a batting strategy, which saw the visitors get bowled out for 114 in 30.4 overs, which the hosts chased down easily in only 15.1 overs.
Basit Ali took direct aim at Mike Hesson’s lack of playing experience. The former batter only played First Class cricket in New Zealand before transitioning into administration in his 20s and then coaching.
Basit Ali Slams Mike Hesson Brutally.Â
Speaking in a You Tube video with Kamran Akmal, Basit Ali said: “First, shoot the man who told them to score a minimum of 60 runs in the ten powerplay overs. He never played cricket on a ground. He just hands over a piece of paper. Did he not see what conditions are like here? Did he not know that even India have lost in Bangladesh?”Â
Kamran Akmal Slams Mike Hesson as well.Â
Kamran Akmal, a former Pakistan cricketer himself was also surprised by the batting display, as pace bowler Nahid Rana used the bit of moisture and movement on the track to take five wickets for just 24 runs.
In the same video, Kamran Akmal said: “It felt like one team was international and the other was a club side playing a practice match before a World Cup. I called Basit and couldn’t find words to describe what kind of cricket we were playing. I swear to God, batting like this doesn’t even happen in club cricket. Club cricketers don’t play this badly. All our batters were on the back foot. Not one came forward. Mohammad Rizwan is senior player, he should have had the awareness to step out and hit him through the line. Instead he got cut twice and was gone.”Â
Both ex-cricketers Basit Ali and Kamran Akmal were also critical of Pakistan fielding several debutants in a single game so soon. They felt, they should have been phased in gradually and in a slow phase rather than at one go. To put things into perspective, four out of six uncapped players made their debut in first ODI and out of the four, three batted in top 3 which was a gamble and recipe for disaster and that’s how it turned out in first ODI.
Mike Hesson Being Made A Scapegoat?Â
While the criticism towards Mike Hesson is justified as he is the head coach of the team and is morally responsible for team combinations and all, blaming him solely is very unfair to say the least. As a saying goes, you win as a team, and you lose as a team and cricket is a team game. Yes, the tactics were baffling we get that, but to say he is responsible and remove him is slightly premature.
To use the word shoot is very degrading and threatening to Hesson and his family. So, choice of words by the ex-cricketers could have been better. Mike Hesson must be wondering the unique challenges of coaching Pakistan compared to his stint in New Zealand. Basit and Kamran have their points as to where coach went wrong and areas to rectify. But for them to say shoot the man down is very weird and scary to hear. Yes, he meant sacking but still word usage could have been better.
The funny thing is if Pakistan bounces back to win the next two games, then it is these same people who will go ga-ga over Hesson and praise him to bits. That’s Pakistan cricket and double standard for you. It remains to be seen whether Pakistan can bounce back in the second ODI set to be played in Mirpur tomorrow. Or will Bangladesh seal the series with a game to spare? We shall find the answer out tomorrow.
Also Read: BAN VS PAK: Mike Hesson Admits Pakistan’s Batting Was Exposed In 1st ODI.