Hesson Eyes Balanced Squad as Pakistan Preps for ODI World Cup

With the 2027 ODI World Cup in sight, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson is prioritizing depth and balance over short-term results. Speaking on the PCB podcast, Hesson revealed that the recent white-ball camp successfully uncovered promising youngsters while exposing gaps that must be addressed. The three-match ODI series against Australia beginning 30 May offers a timely opportunity to blood new players, particularly in the batting department where Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan are missing. Hesson noted that Australia will be desperate for redemption after their earlier T20 defeat, but he believes their ODI side is currently stronger than their T20 unit. He appealed for fan understanding, emphasizing that developing players need time to adjust to the pressures of international cricket. The long-term vision remains clear: assemble the strongest possible Pakistan team by the time the World Cup arrives in late 2027.