Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson believes the Asian Games will give Sahibzada Farhan valuable experience as a captain. However, he stressed that the opener’s role in Japan will not decide Pakistan’s long-term leadership plans.
Pakistan are scheduled to travel to Nagoya on Thursday evening after completing a three-day training camp in Karachi. The team used the camp to prepare for different pitches, conditions and match situations.
“The players have been given extensive practice over the past three days to prepare them for different pitches and conditions,” Hesson said during a media briefing in Karachi.
Farhan Gets Chance to Lead Pakistan
Farhan will captain Pakistan at the Asian Games, giving him an opportunity to gain experience in a leadership role at international level.
Hesson said the tournament could be particularly useful for the opener as he develops his leadership skills. However, he made clear that the assignment does not mean Farhan has been earmarked as Pakistan’s permanent captain.
“For Sahibzada Farhan, the Asian Games are an excellent opportunity to gain captaincy experience,” Hesson said.
He added that future leadership decisions would be made by the Pakistan Cricket Board and the selection committee.
“The decision regarding future captaincy will be taken by the selection committee and the PCB chairman,” Hesson said.
Several Senior Players Miss Asian Games
Pakistan’s Asian Games squad was selected from a 30-player preliminary list that had been finalised five months earlier under tournament regulations.
Hesson explained that fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani could not be selected because he was not included in that original group.
Pakistan will also be without several senior players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan.
Despite those absences, Hesson described the squad as balanced and aggressive. He also believes the tournament can provide an important opportunity for younger players.
“Despite the absence of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan, this is a balanced and aggressive team,” he said.
“The Asian Games provide an excellent platform for new and talented players to showcase their abilities.”
Hesson Highlights T20I Progress
Hesson also discussed Pakistan’s performances across the three international formats. He said each format needs to be assessed separately rather than using the same standards for all three.
The coach acknowledged that Pakistan continue to face problems in Test cricket.
“It is not appropriate to judge the team’s performance across all three formats in the same way,” Hesson said. “Test cricket is an area where Pakistan are struggling.”
He pointed to Pakistan’s progress in T20I cricket since taking charge. According to Hesson, the team has climbed from eighth to fifth in the rankings over the past 15 months.
“When I came in, the T20I team was ranked eighth. At the moment, Pakistan are fifth,” he said.
Hesson added that Pakistan had gained 30 ranking points during that period. He also highlighted T20I series victories achieved outside Pakistan.
Pakistan previously held the No. 1 position in the T20I rankings in 2017.
ODI Improvement and 2027 World Cup Plans
Hesson also acknowledged Pakistan’s difficult record against India. He said the results remain an important measure for supporters.
“India have beaten us several times, which is a benchmark for Pakistani fans,” he said.
At the same time, the coach believes Pakistan have made progress in ODI cricket. The team is now building towards the 2027 World Cup.
“We have improved in ODI cricket over the past year,” Hesson said. “Our team is preparing for the 2027 World Cup.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s fast-bowling coach Ashley Noffke is set to leave his current role and become head coach of the Netherlands men’s team.
