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Sports
Pakistan coach Hesson says team must close gap with India in T20 cricket
✍️ Al Jazeera
🗓 24 Sep 2026, 08:19 AM
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Pakistan’s head coach Paul Hesson told Al Jazeera that the side needs to catch up with India in the Twenty‑20 format.
Pakistan’s head coach Paul Hesson said the national side must bridge the performance gap with India in the Twenty‑20 format, speaking to Al Jazeera ahead of upcoming fixtures. He highlighted that India’s consistency in recent T20 series sets a benchmark that Pakistan must strive to match.
Hesson noted that India’s depth in batting and a variety of bowling options have made them the dominant force in the shortest format, especially after their successful campaigns in the 2022 and 2023 ICC events. In contrast, Pakistan’s recent outings have been marked by inconsistency, prompting the need for strategic adjustments.
The coach urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to invest in younger talent, improve domestic T20 structures, and provide more exposure to high‑pressure matches abroad. He added that the next bilateral series against India will be a crucial test of the team’s progress.
Looking ahead, Hesson remains optimistic, stating that with focused training and a clear game plan, Pakistan can narrow the gap and compete on equal footing with their neighbours in future tournaments.
Hesson noted that India’s depth in batting and a variety of bowling options have made them the dominant force in the shortest format, especially after their successful campaigns in the 2022 and 2023 ICC events. In contrast, Pakistan’s recent outings have been marked by inconsistency, prompting the need for strategic adjustments.
The coach urged the Pakistan Cricket Board to invest in younger talent, improve domestic T20 structures, and provide more exposure to high‑pressure matches abroad. He added that the next bilateral series against India will be a crucial test of the team’s progress.
Looking ahead, Hesson remains optimistic, stating that with focused training and a clear game plan, Pakistan can narrow the gap and compete on equal footing with their neighbours in future tournaments.