Pakistan coach Mike Hesson faces bouncer during Asia Cup press conference: 'Where did you draw the courage from?'

Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson was left stumped by a question on senior stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan during a press conference on the eve of their Asia Cup opener against Oman in Dubai. Hesson was questioned on the decision to leave Babar and Rizwan out of the T20I side and where he drew the “courage” to publicly discuss their shortcomings as players.

“You openly spoke about Babar and Rizwan’s deficiencies. So I mean, nowadays, coaches don’t openly talk about the weaknesses of players. Where did you draw the courage from, and why were you so direct about it?” the reporter asked Hesson during the presser on the eve of the Pakistan-Oman match.

Former New Zealand head coach Hesson, meanwhile, was a bit taken aback by the query. “I missed the first part of your question,” he asked.

“I am saying you were very direct about publicly stating where Babar and Rizwan were not really up to the mark. You said that in the press conference about Babar’s strike rate and something similar to Rizwan. How did you manage to do that publicly?” the reporter continued.

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‘Being honest is pretty important’

Hesson, who had been appointed Pakistan’s white-ball coach earlier this year after the Pakistan Cricket Board decided against giving Aaqib Javed a full-time contract, emphasised on the importance of honesty as a coach.

“Being honest about your assessment of players is pretty important. Coming from a place where you have no agenda is also very important. Looking at things objectively is important. I haven’t talked about anyone’s frailties.

“What I have alluded to is the way the modern game is played and the strike rates required, particularly in good conditions. All players ask for from coaches is to be honest with them. That is the responsibility you’ve got. Just because you like a player or have a relationship with a player, it doesn’t mean you can’t be honest,” Hesson said in reply.

Pakistan would go on to thrash Oman by 93 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to begin their Asia Cup campaign in style. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris’ 43-ball 66 lifted the two-time Asian ODI champions to a competitive 160/7 after captain Salman Ali Agha opted to bat.

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Later, the trio of Faheem Ashraf (2/6), Sufiyan Muqeem (2/7) and Saim Ayub (2/8) collected a couple of wickets each as Oman, making their Asia Cup debut this year, were bundled out for a paltry 67 in reply.