Mike Hesson Questions This Player’s Exclusion from Pakistan Squad

Islamabad United head coach Mike Hesson has labeled Shadab Khan’s exclusion from Pakistan’s 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 a “disgrace,” asserting that the spin-bowling all-rounder still ranks among the country’s top white-ball cricketers.

In a candid discussion on the YouTube channel Sporting Myths, Hesson did not mince words while defending Shadab, who previously served as Pakistan’s limited-overs vice-captain and was a crucial figure in the national setup.

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Hesson: “If Shadab Isn’t in the Top 15, I Should Quit Coaching”

Expressing shock over the 26-year-old’s omission, Hesson remarked:
“If Shadab is not in the top 15 white-ball cricketers of Pakistan, then I should go and do something else.”

Despite Shadab’s dip in form and struggles in recent international outings, the former New Zealand coach believes the all-rounder remains a valuable asset for Pakistan.

“To have Shadab Khan not playing for Pakistan at the moment is a disgrace,” Hesson added, emphasizing that the Mianwali-born cricketer’s experience and skill set still merit a place in the national squad.

Hesson’s comments come on the heels of Pakistan’s disastrous Champions Trophy campaign, where the team failed to register a single win and was eliminated in the group stage. While Hesson has questioned the selection choices, many believe his remarks stem from personal bias, given his association with Islamabad United, where Shadab is the captain.

A section of cricket fans and analysts argue that Shadab’s recent performances—both in domestic and international cricket—do not justify his selection.

One fan voiced strong criticism, stating:
“It is interesting he is not mentioning Shadab’s performance to back his biased views and chose to criticize PCB because he is the coach of Shadab’s team. International cricket is not PSL. PSL is exposed when players like him couldn’t even perform in domestic cricket, let alone international cricket. Shadab is out, and nobody else is to be blamed except Shadab himself.”

Critics argue that Hesson’s comments shift focus away from Shadab’s underwhelming performances and unfairly target the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

While some support Hesson’s stance, believing Shadab still has much to offer, others insist that merit, not reputation, should dictate selection. With the Champions Trophy campaign now over, Pakistan’s selectors face mounting pressure to revamp the squad ahead of future international assignments.

As the debate over Shadab Khan’s place in Pakistan’s cricketing future continues, one thing is certain—his absence from the national team has sparked strong reactions from both supporters and critics alike.