"You've to adjust the style..." - Mike Hesson sends strict message to Pakistan coach Gary Kirsten

Former New Zealand head coach Mike Hesson has offered crucial advice to Pakistan cricket team head coach Gary Kirsten regarding the challenges he has been facing with the Asian side. Hesson has emphasized the importance of a patient and adaptive approach with the Pakistan team.

The well-known cricket coach believes that Kirsten must adopt a strategy centered on active listening and a deep understanding of the Pakistan players' concerns and the team's historical dynamics.

Gary Kirsten gets strategic guidance from Mike Hesson on challenges at Pakistan Cricket

Hesson suggested that Kirsten should avoid using predetermined strategies but rather engage in extensive discussions, and according to the understanding, the South African legend must adapt his coaching style to suit the unique needs of the Pakistan cricket team because every team and every cricketing culture is unique and needs a specific leadership style.

Acknowledging that coaching Pakistan is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor, Hesson reckoned that Kirsten would have to first familiarize herself with Pakistan’s past strategies—what worked and what didn't—before establishing a clear vision and direction for the team.

Hesson believes that this period of transition may take months, but it is important for Kirsten to establish clear objectives and direction for the Men in Green. He has also expressed confidence in Kirsten's ability to navigate this challenging phase, saying one day he will find out the players and build a team that wants to play as a team and with whom he wants to move forward.

In a video shared by Pakistani journalist Sad Sadiq, Hesson said that Kirsten will have to do a lot of talking or a lot of listening with the Pakistani players. He feels the Pakistan head coach must focus on getting to know the concerns of the players, the team's past strategy, and what they haven’t tried.

One day Gary Kirsten will say this is my team and want moving forward: Mike Hesson

Mike Hesson stated: “You're not going in with a preconceived idea because you have to adjust your style to suit the team, and you have to adjust the style to suit what Pakistan cricket needs. So, it's not plug-and-play, as I would say, where sometimes you can go into a team and just carry on your style somewhere else. That's just not going to happen in Pakistan.”

Hesson added, “So, for me, it's a lot of listening, a lot of talking to people, and understanding, as I said, what has been tried before, what has worked, and what hasn't. And then you put a line in the sand, and you go, Hey, this is the way forward. And that might take, it might take six months, it might take three months.

But whatever it is, there will come a time where you go, Hey, this is my team, and this is the way we're going to do it. And these are the types of players that we want moving forward. So, I'm sure Gary will be sort of working through that transition phase at the moment.”

Mike Hesson "there will come a time when Gary Kirsten says this is my team, this is the way we are going to do it and these are the types of players we want" #<!---->C<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->7<!---->S<!---->a<!---->t<!---->M<!---->M<!---->i<!---->k<!---->Y<!---->C

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->6<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Notably, the Pakistan cricket team was recently knocked out of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 from the group stages, and they failed to qualify for the semifinals of the 2023 ODI World Cup. They have been struggling across formats for the past few years. They last won the ICC trophy in 2017, when they defeated India to clinch the Champions Trophy.