ODI World Cup: Hesson Defends Pakistan’s Spin-Friendly Pitch

Pakistan’s coach, Mike Hesson, has defended the team’s decision to roll out a spin-friendly pitch in Rawalpindi for the first ODI against Australia, which the hosts won handsomely by five wickets.

Hesson assured fans that the team is aware of the conditions they will encounter in the 2027 ODI World Cup, to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, and will plan their preparations accordingly.

Pitch Conditions

The pitch, which played slow and low, was heavily criticized, as the next World Cup, almost 16 months away, is expected to be played in conditions more conducive for fast bowling. However, Hesson stated that it would not be true for all venues, citing that Zimbabwe and Namibia have venues where spin is a big factor.

Spinners dominated the opening match of the three-ODI series, bowling 62.3 overs out of a total 86.4 and taking 11 of the 15 wickets in the match. Left-arm orthodox Arafat Minhas took five wickets on debut, becoming the first player from Pakistan to achieve the feat in the format.

Hesson’s Response

Hesson reflected on Pakistan’s last ODI series in South Africa, where their spinners delivered a win in the opening game at Paarl, taking seven of the eight wickets taken by the bowlers. He said, “Those that remember the last ODI series Pakistan played in SA, which included Paarl where spin dictated the outcome of the match. Rest assured we have competed significant research and will be using the next 18 months to prepare for a variety of conditions.”

Upcoming Matches

Australia is staring at their third straight ODI series defeat against Pakistan and will have to win the second ODI to keep the series alive. Ghazi Ghori, who scored his maiden half-century in the first ODI, said the hosts cannot be complacent, stating, “They may be without their regulars, but this is an Australian side after all. They will look to bounce back and they must have prepared well for this match. We will have to continue to do well to keep a hold on the series.”

Ghori credited the presence of experienced batter Babar Azam, who top-scored with 69 off 94, for making things easier for him during the chase. “Babar Azam had been batting before I went in the middle and he told me about the conditions. It gives you a lot of confidence when you have a senior batter with you in the middle. Babar is a proven performer and his presence at the crease made things easier for me.”