Mike Hesson Highlights Areas of Improvements for Pakistan ODI Squad Before Australia Series

LAHORE: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has outlined several areas the national side must improve in the 50-over format as preparations begin for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027. Speaking during a podcast released by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Hesson pointed to Pakistan’s struggles with new-ball bowling and middle-overs batting as key issues the team must address.

He said Pakistan’s ODI setup had not played enough cricket in the format recently, with only one bilateral series completed since the conclusion of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Pakistan are next scheduled to face Australia in a three-match ODI series at home from May 31 to June 4.

Mike Hesson Highlights Areas of Improvements

Hesson stressed that Pakistan’s bowling attack must become more effective during the powerplay overs. According to the head coach, the team has struggled to make early breakthroughs consistently, forcing the bowlers to chase games during the later stages of innings.

“Look I think our one day side is a side that you know we haven't really played a lot the last 12 months but what we have done is expose some key areas you know from a bowling perspective we've got to bowl far tighter lines than we have and be more consistent with the ball and especially in the powerplay,” Hesson said.

“We need, you know, we've really struggled to take wickets in the powerplay in ODI cricket, and that's something that you know we're going to have to find bowlers that are really consistent and able to do that.”

The Pakistan coach also highlighted the importance of maintaining discipline through the middle overs, regardless of conditions. He added that the management is assessing which bowlers can consistently execute plans on both flat and spin-friendly surfaces.

Mike Hesson Talks About Pak ODI Team Batting Approach

On the batting side, Hesson called for a more proactive approach in the middle overs. He believes Pakistan have often left too much responsibility to the lower order by slowing down during the middle phase of innings.

“You know from a batting point of view, you know the middle overs we have to be more efficient, you know we often leave too much to do at the end of the innings because we're a little bit passive through the middle overs,” he said.

Hesson did, however, praise Salman Ali Agha for his performances in ODI cricket and described the all-rounder as one of the few batters who has consistently handled the middle overs effectively. Pakistan are expected to continue experimenting with combinations ahead of the 2027 World Cup.