Mike Hesson backs new central contracts for Pakistan players

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has endorsed the newly introduced central contracts structure, saying it is designed to help players concentrate on the formats that suit them best and improve their performances.

In an interview with Express Tribune, Hesson said the revised system would allow cricketers to direct their attention toward the formats they want to play instead of trying to give equal emphasis to all three. He said players often struggle to properly focus on the formats in which they are less effective, and added that the new contracts would help guide them in the right direction.

Hesson said there was some initial uncertainty among players about the contracts, but their concerns eased after explanations were provided. He said the full benefits of the arrangement would become clearer once the model is completely implemented.

Young talent and recent results

Hesson also pointed to promising talent in the ongoing camp, singling out fast bowler Abdul Subhan for praise. He said the youngster had delivered standout performances in Under-19 cricket and described him as a tall bowler with a sound line and length. According to Hesson, Abdul Subhan’s pace is expected to rise further as he gets stronger, and the coaching staff is keen to see his progress.

Discussing Pakistan’s showing in recent ICC tournaments, Hesson said the side had failed to move beyond the group stage in three of its last four events. He noted, however, that the team did make it out of the group stage in the most recent tournament, the T20 World Cup 2026. He said Pakistan’s match against New Zealand was abandoned because of rain, that the team beat Sri Lanka, and that it then lost a close game against England. Hesson said Pakistan came close to reaching the semi-finals but let key chances slip, while adding that the overall display was still much improved compared to earlier events.

World Cup planning and conditions

Looking ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup, Hesson said a domestic competition featuring the country’s top 50 white-ball players would begin in August. He said the event would create strong competition, allowing the management to assess a broader group of players before selecting the strongest possible squad.

He said Pakistan was also trying to organise additional triangular series alongside its ODI commitments. Hesson added that playing in Zimbabwe would help the side prepare for conditions similar to those expected during the World Cup. He said conditions in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia would all pose different challenges, noting that Johannesburg generally offers extra bounce and high-scoring matches, while Cape Town tends to be slower and more helpful for spin.

According to Hesson, the team’s preparations are aimed at ensuring players can adapt across varying surfaces and conditions during the tournament.

India, captaincy and team balance

When asked about Pakistan’s recent losses to India in ICC and ACC events, Hesson said India was currently the strongest white-ball team in the world and had set the standard through sustained success. He said Pakistan was not alone in finding India difficult to beat, adding that other leading sides had also struggled against them. Hesson noted that although Ireland had recently beaten India in both matches, it was India’s first defeat after 16 successive T20 series wins.

On leadership, Hesson said Shaheen Shah Afridi had performed well as ODI captain despite the added demands of leading as a fast bowler. He said Pakistan had won three of four series under Shaheen, including against strong opposition.

Asked about Salman Ali Agha no longer being T20 captain, Hesson said he had learned quickly during his time in Pakistan not to respond to rumours.

Hesson also commented on Babar Azam, saying the batter had an impressive PSL campaign and scored heavily. He said Babar had the ability to adjust to different conditions, but added that competition for places in the side remained intense.

On fast bowling, Hesson said a drop in pace can sometimes stem from personal factors and at other times from an excessive workload. He said proper workload management is essential for maintaining speed and argued that no fast bowler can operate at top pace throughout the year. He added that pacers should be used in short, aggressive spells rather than being overused as stock bowlers.

Hesson said Pakistan had several power-hitting options, naming Abdul Samad, Farhan Yousuf, Haider Ali and Usman Khan, while also describing Shadab Khan as an excellent finisher. He said the team needed players capable of delivering consistently at international level.

On the prospect of a camp in the United States, Hesson said there was no fresh development at present. He added, however, that some players would be sent to different camps so they could gain exposure to varied environments and broaden their experience.