Still several things to be addressed, says Hesson

LAHORE: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson declared patience, depth, and leadership abilities as the main reason for series win over South Africa, but said there are still several things which need to be addressed.

Following Pakistan’s emphatic seven-wicket victory in the third ODI against South Africa at a packed Iqbal Stadium, head coach Mike Hesson addressed the media, offering insights into the team’s tactical execution, player development, and leadership under newly appointed ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi. The win sealed Pakistan’s first-ever home ODI series triumph over South Africa, capping off a successful multi-format campaign.

Reflecting on the turning point in the match, Hesson revealed that the coaching staff’s message to the players was simple: stay patient and trust the process. “We were able to create a little bit of pressure and then went searching for wickets. It was more about not getting frustrated and being happy bowling dot balls,” he said. The strategy paid off as Pakistan’s bowlers triggered a collapse from 72 for no loss to 143 all out, with Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, and Mohammad Nawaz leading the charge.

Hesson praised the team’s ability to adapt to changing conditions across the series. “Today’s pitch was very different from the one two days ago. That had more grass, the ball skidded and didn’t turn. Today was a dry surface, and we knew spin would play a role,” he explained. He credited Abrar Ahmed for responding well to feedback after the first ODI, working on his areas in training, and delivering a match-winning spell in the decider.

On the team’s overall progress, Hesson was cautiously optimistic. “We haven’t got everything right just yet, but it’s all about winning series. We won the T20 series, we won the ODI series, and we’ve often played our best when the series is on the line,” he noted. He emphasised the importance of rotating players to build depth, pointing to the inclusion of emerging talents like Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, and Abdul Samad.

The coach was effusive in his praise for Shaheen Shah Afridi’s captaincy, calling it “excellent” and “decisive.” “Shaheen should get all the credit. The way he rotated bowlers, assessed conditions, and managed ends was outstanding. Even after taking wickets, we didn’t over-attack. His decision-making was spot on,” Hesson said. He added that Afridi is growing in confidence and has shown maturity in managing pressure situations.

Addressing concerns about Babar Azam’s form, Hesson dismissed the notion entirely. “Babar is in extremely good form. In the first game, he got one that skidded and would’ve got any player out. Today, he looked in great touch and absorbed pressure before an unfortunate run-out,” he clarified. He expressed confidence that Babar would soon convert his starts into big scores, building on his rhythm from the T20 series.

Hesson also highlighted the bowling unit’s evolution, noting that the team had learned to embrace patience. “In the first couple of games, we weren’t as patient as we needed to be. Today, we were happy bowling dots and knew the rewards would come later,” he said. He credited Saim Ayub for setting the tone with the ball and praised Nawaz for finally dismissing a left-hander—Quinton de Kock—a breakthrough that will boost his confidence.

On the batting front, Hesson described the chase as “professional,” commending the way Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan absorbed pressure and executed their roles. “You can always lose an early wicket, but the way they handled it was a really pleasing sign,” he said.

Looking ahead, Hesson confirmed that Hasan Nawaz would return to first-class cricket to regain form and confidence, while Abdul Samad would rejoin the squad in Rawalpindi after his stint at the Hong Kong Sixes.

Finally, the coach acknowledged the electric atmosphere in Faisalabad. “The pitch, the crowd, the intensity—it was outstanding. To play three games in five days and fill the stadium each time, the players were delighted with the support,” he said.

“Now the ODI series wrapped up, Pakistan now turns its attention to upcoming assignments, buoyed by a blend of experience, emerging talent, and a leadership group that’s beginning to find its rhythm.”