Hesson backs Pakistan’s 2027 World Cup planning amid pitch debate

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has defended the team’s decision to prepare a spin-friendly pitch in Rawalpindi for the first ODI against Australia, a match Pakistan won comfortably by five wickets.

The surface came under scrutiny after spinners dominated the game. Of the 86.4 overs bowled in the match, 62.3 were delivered by spinners, who accounted for 11 of the 15 wickets to fall. Pakistan went in with two fast bowlers and four specialist spinners, while Australia also relied heavily on spin, with captain Josh Inglis using part-time options such as Matt Short, Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne.

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Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas starred on debut with a five-wicket haul, becoming the first Pakistan player to achieve the feat in ODI cricket.

The slow and low nature of the pitch led to criticism, particularly because the 2027 ODI World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, where conditions are generally expected to favour fast bowlers.

Responding to those concerns in a social media post, Hesson said Pakistan’s management had already studied the conditions expected at the tournament.

“I’ve been hearing a bit of chatter about the pitches here in Pakistan not being the ideal preparation for the World Cup in South Africa,” his post said. “Firstly, the World Cup is jointly hosted in (sic) South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Zimbabwe and Namibia have venues where spin is a big factor and we will be playing matches in those countries.

“The myth of all pitches in South Africa being quick and bouncy are (sic) just not true, there are definitely some which are but they also vary throughout the country,” he added.

Hesson also pointed to Pakistan’s successful ODI tour of South Africa in December 2024, when they completed a 3-0 series sweep. Spinners played a major role in that triumph. In the opening match at Paarl, seven of the eight wickets taken by Pakistan bowlers came through spin, with Salman Ali Agha returning figures of 4 for 32. In the final ODI at Johannesburg, left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem claimed 4 for 52 as Pakistan secured a 36-run victory via the DLS method.

Referring to that tour, Hesson added, “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.”