desk of contents
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has slammed critics who’ve recommended that Pakistan’s ongoing ODI collection towards Australia just isn’t splendid preparation for subsequent 12 months’s ODI World Cup in South Africa.
Within the first ODI in Rawalpindi, which Pakistan gained by 5 wickets, many criticized the spin-prone nature of the pitch. Hesson made it clear that not all of South Africa’s pitches help his unbelievable tempo and bounce.
Arafat Minhas’ report efficiency provides Pakistan victory
Pakistan’s resolution to bowl first seemed like the precise one in Rawalpindi’s spin-friendly situations. All Pakistan’s bowlers saved Australia’s scoring fee to the restrict and put stress on them.
Matthew Quick and Matt Renshaw at the moment are of their fifties, however the day belonged to Arafat Minhas. The 21-year-old left-arm spinner made his Pakistan debut after performing properly within the PSL and U-19 degree.
Minhas created historical past by turning into the primary Pakistani participant to take 5 wickets on his ODI debut. The opposite bowlers, led by Abrar Ahmed, bowled 5/32 with Minhas in splendid help to defeat Australia by simply 200 runs.
Abrar took two wickets whereas captain Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Salman Agha took one wicket every.
Pakistan’s response was simplified with Babar Azam and Ghazi Gholi scoring 69 and 65 respectively. As Starr anticipated, Minhas ended up hitting the successful aim as properly.
Mike Hesson hits again at pitch critics
Mike Hesson used his X account to hit again at those that questioned his Pakistani critics.
He defined that not all South African pitches have pace or momentum, which is generally a delusion. Hesson defined that some matches may even be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia, and spin will certainly play a task in these nations.
Mike Hesson additionally deflected critics’ consideration to Pakistan’s ODI towards South Africa at Paarl 2024. On this match, Salman Agha, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed mixed to take seven wickets earlier than Agha got here to the rescue together with his bat to ship Pakistan residence.
”I’ve heard a number of rumors that the pitch right here in Pakistan just isn’t splendid preparation for the South African World Cup. Really, that is the subject I talked about about fashionable PCBs Podcast. Firstly, the World Cup can be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. “Zimbabwe and Namibia have venues the place spin is a giant issue and we can be enjoying matches in these nations,” Mike Hesson wrote on his X account.
“The parable that every one South African pitches are quick and bouncy is solely not true. Sure, some are, nevertheless it additionally varies from nation to nation,” he continued.
“Everybody remembers the final ODI collection that Pakistan performed in SA, which included Paar, the place spin dictated the end result of the match. Relaxation assured, now we have performed vital analysis and can spend the subsequent 18 months making ready for various conditions,” he concluded.
I’ve heard a number of rumors that the pitch right here in Pakistan just isn’t splendid preparation for the South African World Cup. That is truly a subject I talked about within the newest #PCB podcast.
To begin with, the World Cup is South Africa, Zimbabwe, and…
— Mike Hesson (@CoachHesson) June 1, 2026
Pakistan vs Australia 2nd ODI
Mike Hesson’s facet will now take motion to Lahore the place the second and third ODIs of the collection are scheduled.
Not like Rawalpindi, Lahore is anticipated to have a batsman-friendly batting floor. The match can be performed on Tuesday, with the third match on Thursday.
Additionally learn: No change in captaincy! CSK brings again Ruturaj Gaikwad regardless of poor efficiency
