Former India captain and BCCI President Sourav Ganguly criticized Pakistan coach Mike Hesson’s claim that Mohammad Nawaz is the world’s best spinner during the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. Ganguly added that Nawaz must prove his coach hasn’t “lost his mind,” describing Hesson’s statement as exaggerated.
Mohammad Nawaz has taken 71 wickets in 72 T20Is at an average of 22.42 with an economy rate of 7.25. The 31-year-old recently claimed a five-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, in the tri-series final against Afghanistan and picked up one wicket in Pakistan’s 93-run win over Oman in their Asia Cup 2025 opener.
The Coach Has Lost His Mind – Sourav Ganguly on Mike Hesson
During an interview with Anandabazar Patrika, Sourav Ganguly said that Mohammad Nawaz still needs to prove himself despite the Pakistan head coach’s remarks.
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“Pakistan’s coach Mike Hesson has claimed that their team has the best spinner in the world,” the journalist asked.
“And who is that spinner?” Ganguly replied.
“Okay. Then let that spinner prove this time that the coach has not lost his mind,” he added.
No Comparison Between India and Pakistan – Sourav Ganguly
The former BCCI president predicted India would dominate their upcoming clash against Pakistan. Ganguly stated that the current Pakistani team is weaker than past sides and said that the Suryakumar Yadav-led team is likely to win in a one-sided encounter.
“The quality has deteriorated a lot. Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf. All world-class cricketers. And now look who is playing for Pakistan. Excuse me, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Wasim Akram are not the same,” said Ganguly.
“There can be no comparison between the two teams in terms of talent,” he added.
India restricted the UAE to 57 runs in 13.1 overs in their Asia Cup 2025 opener. Kuldeep Yadav claimed four wickets, while Shivam Dube added three. Abhishek Sharma and vice-captain Shubman Gill unleashed destruction in the chase, and India secured a nine-wicket win in just 4.3 overs.
A Lot Of Things Can Happen – Sourav Ganguly
Pakistan dropped Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for the Asia Cup, with coach Mike Hesson asking them to work on their strike rates. Sourav Ganguly remarked that the current Pakistan squad lacks the star power of previous teams.
“Babar Azam is not there. Rizwan is not there. There is that boy, Fakhar Zaman. In bowling, there are Shaheen Shah Afridi and Harris Rauf. Really, where are Wasim-Waqar and Shoaib, and where are Shaheen Shah Afridi-Harris Rauf? No match in terms of talent. The rest is one and a half days on the field. A lot of things can happen; that is a different matter,” said Ganguly.
Salman Ali Agha is leading Pakistan’s young squad, featuring emerging talents like Saim Ayub, Mohammad Harris, and Hasan Nawaz. A few experienced players, including Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Fakhar Zaman, have retained their places from the previous core group.
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