'I'm the fraud': Shoaib Akhtar exposes himself, calls Mike Hesson brainless

Former Pakistan National Cricket Team fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has launched a brutal attack on the white-ball head coach of the Men In Green, Mike Hesson.

Shoaib Akhtar referred to Mike Hesson as a brainless coach, and he also labelled himself as a fraud on live TV, days after Pakistan suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the India National Cricket Team in the Asia Cup 2025.

The coach should be asked the questions – where are his brains? - Shoaib Akhtar

The Rawalpindi Express was furious at the Pakistan head coach over the poor team selection calls. Shoaib Akhtar questioned Mike Hesson's decision to unleash all-rounder Hussain Talat in the all-important match against India.

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“The coach should be asked the questions – where are his brains? It is just senseless coaching and senseless selection of the team. It is beyond me, it feels like I am the one who is a fraud, who doesn’t understand a thing after playing 15 years of cricket,” Akhtar said on the ‘Game On Hai’ programme.

"In the last five-six games, we have been saying just play the right team. In an important fixture, you thought about playing Hussain Talat? How did you even think about it? What is his utility? Tell me,” he added.

Pakistan dropped the talented batter Hasan Nawaz from the playing XI for the match against India and replaced him with Hussain Talat.

This came as a massive surprise because Hasan Nawaz is regarded as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket. Many bashed the team management for dropping Nawaz after a few disappointing performances, and Hussain Talat also failed to justify his place in the side. Hussain Talat batted at No.4 against India and scored 10 runs off 11 balls without a single boundary.

It’s not about ‘give me the power and I’ll fix it - Shoaib Akhtar

With the loss against India, Pakistan have gotten themselves into a do-or-die match against Sri Lanka. A defeat against the Lankans would mean curtains for them in the competition.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Malik put Shoaib Akhtar on the spot during the same discussion by asking him what changes he would make if he got the top job in PCB. Replying to this, the former pacer said that he would make a strong selection committee and would take their advice by keeping teamwork and logic in mind.

"First of all, PCB will never ask me to do this job. The reason is that I’m going to do the right thing, whatever is necessary. I’m not saying give me the power. I believe in teamwork. I believe in logic. I believe in working together," said Akhtar.

"It’s not about ‘give me the power and I’ll fix it.’ No, no, no, it’s not like that. I would rather have a 20-member selection committee. I will take their advice: ‘What do you guys say? Tell me," he added.

I will tell them, ‘Saim Ayub, son, go play - Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar further said that the one major thing he would do if he becomes the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman is to give confidence and unprecedented backing to the youngsters.

"To fix Pakistan cricket, if I am given three years and handed the command, the children must be given confidence. I will tell them ‘Saim Ayub, son, go play. Abhishek Sharma has a license; you also play. No problem, you won’t get dropped if you get out. Saim beta, the whole year is for you.’ I’ll see how performance doesn’t come. He (Saim Ayub) is scared, poor boy,” Akhtar said.

"In a PSL game, it’s fine, runs happen. But you have to hit in a pressure game. Abhishek has a license, so he’s hitting it," he added.

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