Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has raised questions about Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson after the team’s poor performance against India in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Kaif questioned Mike Hesson
Kaif pointed out that Hesson has a lot of coaching experience, including in the Indian Premier League and other major leagues around the world. That is why, according to Kaif, it was surprising to see Pakistan choose to field first against India on a pitch that tends to slow down as the match goes on. He suggested that such conditions usually make chasing more difficult later in the game.
However, Pakistan’s performances have remained inconsistent. They narrowly avoided an upset against the Netherlands in their opening match and then suffered a humiliating defeat to India. Although they managed to qualify for the Super 8 stage, their overall campaign so far has raised concerns among former players and fans.
“Leave Salman Ali Agha, what is Hesson doing? Mike Hesson has coached in the IPL. He coaches everywhere. What is he telling them, to field first against India? Free ke paise le raha hai kya bhai? (Are you taking money for the sake of it?)," Kaif asked while speaking on his YouTube channel.
“I can understand that it is the first World Cup for Agha and all that, he can be in doubt. But does not Hesson know what he is supposed to do on that slow pitch? You brought Abrar into the power play, he got hit and then you dropped him," Kaif said.
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Kaif on Usman Tariq
Kaif also questioned Pakistan's approach to using Usman Tariq after the powerplay. Notably, the spinner made a lot of headlines for his action, and he is one of Pakistan's consistent performers in the mega event
“It was you who took the wrong call; the spinner was supposed to come after the power play. There was so much build-up with Usman Tariq’s action and all that and you brought him on as the seventh bowler," Kaif added.
Pakistan's planning vs India
Pakistan leaned heavily on spin in their match against India, bowling as many as 18 overs of spin during the innings. In a surprising move, Captain Salman Ali Agha even opened the bowling himself with the new ball.
The tactic worked at first, as Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck early on. However, after that breakthrough, Pakistan were unable to keep things tight, and India gradually took control of the game.