Hesson Reflects After Seven-Wicket Defeat to India

News Desk 

Islamabad: Pakistan’s seven-wicket defeat to India on Sunday was a tough pill to swallow, but head coach Mike Hesson insists there are lessons to take forward. 

Speaking after the match, Hesson acknowledged that Pakistan was “outplayed” and struggled against India’s spinners, who methodically “squeezed” the batting lineup in the middle overs.

“We were outplayed today,” Hesson said. “I don’t think we can hide from that. We didn’t bat well enough. We left ourselves probably 20 or 30 runs short, and through those middle overs, we got squeezed. Lots to work on against a good bowling attack, but I was pleased with how the guys fought hard in the field, even if the score wasn’t enough.”

The match had a shaky start for Pakistan. After opting to set a target, the batting lineup looked in serious trouble early on, finding themselves at a precarious 83 for 7 in the 17th over. Shaheen Afridi’s cameo at the end lifted the total to 127, but it was too little, too late.

“Up until the last few matches, Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub had averaged 40 opening the batting and had done particularly well,” Hesson noted. “Saim is a key player for us, and it’s important we get off to a good start.

Four games ago, we were doing quite nicely at the top; we’ve lost a bit of momentum there, but I have confidence in these two to turn it around quickly.”

The first two overs epitomized the chaos at the crease. Ayub fell to a golden duck, slicing to point off the first legitimate delivery he faced — his second successive golden duck.

Mohammad Haris attacked Jasprit Bumrah from ball one, only to skyer the second to square leg, while Fakhar Zaman survived a close call via review after a near-perfect yorker.

“With the bat, we were a little bit frenzied at the start,” Hesson admitted. “The ball held in the surface, as we expected, but we didn’t respond as well as we would have liked. We were in the game at the end of the powerplay, and then we got squeezed.”

Sahibzada Farhan showed glimpses of brilliance, hitting two sixes off Bumrah in the powerplay — the only player to manage more than one against the Indian speedster in this T20I series. Yet, 23 of his 44 deliveries were dots, and as India’s spinners tightened their grip, his effectiveness waned.

Hesson emphasized that experience and trust in one’s game grow with big matches. “We’ve certainly got some players who are finding their feet. They want to be in the battle, and we’ll come back stronger in a few days’ time,” he said.

That “few days’ time” will be crucial. Pakistan’s next match against UAE is effectively a knockout if they hope to reach the Super Fours stage — a run that would set up another high-stakes clash with India.

“We’ll turn up in three days’ time. We need to play better than we did today with both ball and bat,” Hesson said. 

“We need to be more disciplined with the ball early on. I was actually really pleased with the way we fought in the field, showing huge character. We’re going to need a lot more of that on Wednesday. If we do, we’re hopeful of having another crack in the Super 4s, where we’re going to have to play better cricket than we did tonight. I certainly have confidence in this group.”

Despite the defeat, Hesson’s message was clear: Pakistan’s players may be learning the hard way, but there is belief that they can turn things around if they tighten up, trust their skills, and show the grit they displayed in the field.