The Pakistan National Cricket Team is all set for another controversy, and this time head coach Mike Hesson is in the spotlight. After Pakistan’s poor show against England in Birmingham, Rashid Latif has raised some serious questions about foreign coaches with IPL connections.
Latif’s comments came during the third and final Test at Headingley, where Pakistan were bowled out for just 133 in their first innings against England. Saud Shakeel was the top scorer with 43, as Pakistan again failed to put up 200 runs on the board in the Test format. Earlier, Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq summoned by NCCIA over phone data.
Rashid Latif takes another dig at Mike Hesson
This is not the first time Rashid Latif has spoken against Mike Hesson. Earlier, the former Pakistan captain had accused the New Zealand coach of playing a role in Mohammad Rizwan losing the ODI captaincy. Latif had linked the decision to alleged religious and political reasons.
This time, Latif questioned whether foreign coaches with IPL links can always be fully trusted when they work with the Pakistan National Cricket Team. Hesson has been Pakistan’s white-ball coach since May 2025. Before that, he worked with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL and was also the head coach of the New Zealand National Cricket Team.
Latif feels loyalty should be an important factor when the PCB chooses a foreign coach for the national side. He cited the former Pakistan coaches Bob Woolmer and Geoff Lawson as examples of overseas coaches who, according to him, showed strong commitment to Pakistan cricket.
Rashid Latif questions Mike Hesson’s loyalty over IPL connection
Rashid Latif told a senior Pakistani journalist on his YouTube podcast, “Mike Hesson, for me, security concerns are a different thing, but the loyalty factor is very important for a foreign coach. When I talk about Bob Woolmer, I know he was loyal. He had such loyalty. Then, if I talk about Geoff Lawson as a person, as a player, he was professional. He stayed in Lahore. He had loyalty.”
He added, “All the others who have come, please help me remember; all of them were foreigners who became Pakistani coaches. They all did their work with heart. I am not putting the blame on anyone but on the coach who has come after doing IPL. There will always be doubt about him.”
🚨Mike hesson is an Indian agent🚨
Rashid Latif said, ” Mike Hesson has been involved with the IPL and has spent time in India, it is possible he is an Indian agent someone might have sent him.”
Rashid Latif watched the ‘Dhurandhar’ last night. That is why he has gone mad.😂😂 pic.twitter.com/HRdLAwgIcz
— Indian Cricket 🏏 (@Indiancric1cm) September 10, 2026
Rashid calling Hesson Indian Agent 😂 pic.twitter.com/Sji2Z4j8l6
— rishu (@rishushukla1991) September 10, 2026
Rashid Latif raises questions over IPL-linked coaches in Pakistan
Latif then raised doubts about coaches who join Pakistan after working in the IPL. Latif suggested that such coaches may have several professional connections and that the PCB should properly check their background and associations before giving them an important role.
The Indian wicketkeeper-batter has indirectly raised doubts about Hesson’s loyalty without directly accusing him, and he even used terms like “agents.” Amid this, Razaullah names Waqar Younis as inspiration, opens up on 8 siblings.
Latif further explained, “The loyalty factor is very important, and it remains doubtful. I am not saying someone is not loyal; he might be, of course, he might, but it’s better if these things are checked. Check the history. The connection would be there.
So, the damage that we couldn’t do, maybe someone will who can damage you, no matter which coach comes from abroad. But one who is directly linked with IPL, from people there, who might want to use him—that’s how agents are formed.”