Mike Hesson Faces Heat From Salman Agha After Pakistan's Shambolic T20 WC Performance

Hesson faces backlash from Salman Agha [Source: AFP]

Pakistan was expected to do well in the T20 World Cup 2026, especially after getting favourable playing conditions in Sri Lanka. However, the team fumbled and crashed out of the Super 8 stage as the nation once again faced embarrassment. After the humiliating exit, not only the Pakistan players, but also the coach Mike Hesson has come under scrutiny.

Following the reported resignation of selection chief Aleem Dar, who cited Hesson’s control over Pakistan team selection as a major issue, fresh reports have revealed that Hesson’s conduct also bothered several players during the T20 World Cup.

According to the latest report on Geo News, several players have questioned the head coach over his planning and man-management. While there is no immediate threat to Hesson’s coaching job due to Pakistan’s T20 World Cup debacle, senior officials at the PCB have begun reviewing the matter.

Salman Agha and others having issue with Hesson

The team was supposed to do well at the T20 World Cup, but the Men in Green faced a shocking reality as they failed to reach the semifinals. Reportedly, the players have blamed Hesson’s selection decisions as one of the main reasons for Pakistan facing an embarrassment.

His growing authority also bothered Pakistan captain, Salman Agha, as the coach was controlling the team selection. Reportedly, Agha Salman had no say in the selection, and a viral clip from the World Cup summed up their relationship.

In a video during Pakistan’s match against Namibia, Salman Agha looked visibly frustrated with Hesson in the dugout, and although the rift rumours were brushed aside, something looked off between the duo.

Geo News has also stated that several players have reportedly approached the PCB, citing their problems with Hesson, who joined Pakistan’s coaching department last year.

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Keeping key players out of the playing XI Hesson's call

In an unusual decision, Pakistan kept persisting with non-performing players in their playing XI during the World Cup, and the deserving ones were left out of the team. Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, and Khawaja Nafay were not the regulars, and this also infuriated the players, as the key players would have made a difference for them in the marquee event.

Abrar was taken to the cleaners against India, and after performing poorly in just one match, Hesson left him out of the team, and also didn’t consider Fakhar Zaman as the batter warmed the bench.

Pakistan's poor run in the T20 World Cup 2026

Pakistan was placed in the group alongside India, the Netherlands, Namibia, and the USA. The Men in Green barely scraped past the Netherlands in their opening fixture as they somehow won the game.

They decimated the USA before going down in a one-sided battle against India in Colombo. A win against Namibia took them to the Super 8 stage, but this is where the tournament ended for them.

The match against the Kiwis was a washed-out affair, and a loss against England almost ended their dream of reaching the semis. Pakistan managed to beat Sri Lanka in their last Super 8 match, but they couldn’t overhaul New Zealand’s net run-rate and crashed out.

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