Mohsin Naqvi’s ‘poisonous’ pep talk cost Pakistan the match vs India? Mike Hesson breaks silence

Pakistan’s loss to India sparked fresh debate after Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi met players before the match during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. With the fixture already carrying intense pressure, attention turned to whether the interaction added an unwanted distraction before the game.

Pakistan suffered a heavy setback after losing by 61 runs to their arch-rivals India at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday. The defeat has put Hesson’s side in a tough position, with a win against Namibia in their final group-stage match now likely needed to keep their Super Eights hopes alive.

Mohsin Naqvi Is a Big Supporter of Our Team - Mike Hesson

At the post-match press conference, Mike Hesson was asked whether visits from Mohsin Naqvi add extra burden on players before big games. Hesson said that such meetings should not be viewed as pressure. He added that meeting players before a match is part of his responsibility.

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"I don't think it adds extra pressure. Board Chairman (Mohsin Naqvi) is a big supporter of our team and if he's coming to meet the players before the game, it's part of his job. It doesn't add extra pressure on the players," Hesson told reporters.

The Group A clash had remained uncertain until days earlier, when the Pakistan government approved the team’s participation. However, the PCB made a U-turn and decided to play the match against their arch-rivals.

A Pretty Disappointed Dressing Room - Mike Hesson

Mike Hesson said that Pakistan’s dressing room was devastated after the heavy defeat to arch-rivals India. He stated that they had not performed to their potential, which added to the disappointment.

“There’s a pretty disappointed dressing room at the moment because we know how much this means to Pakistan. We’re really disappointed that we didn’t play as well as we could. But this is a tournament, and in tournament play, things don’t always go your way. Our job now is to pick ourselves up and make sure we’re very good in two or three days.”

India Seal Super Eights Spot as Pakistan Suffer Another Heavy Defeat

India rebuilt their innings after losing Abhishek Sharma early, with Ishan Kishan scoring 77 runs off 40 balls on a challenging surface for batters. Suryakumar Yadav (32) and Shivam Dube (27) added important runs to help India post a competitive total of 175.

Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in the second over, dismissing Saim Ayub and captain Salman Agha, leaving Pakistan struggling at 13/3. Usman Khan fought back with 44, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to contribute. Pakistan were bowled out for 114, their third-lowest T20 score against India.

India recorded their third consecutive victory in the tournament and confirmed their place in the Super Eights. Pakistan, meanwhile, must beat Namibia on Wednesday to remain in contention. The Men in Green’s World Cup record against India is at 1-8.

Also read: Mohsin Naqvi boycotts India vs Pakistan match, abandons players to rot in T20 World Cup shame