Rawalpindi: Pakistan cricket team head coach Mike Hesson has clarified the reasons behind wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan’s exclusion from the T20 setup, stating that the decision was made in line with team strategy and future planning.

Speaking at a press conference in Rawalpindi, Hesson said that Rizwan has not been part of the T20 squad since he took over coaching responsibilities.

He added that even before his arrival, Rizwan was neither part of the T20 squad nor serving as captain in that format.

The head coach further stated that following the West Indies ODI series, the management felt that a change in leadership was necessary, suggesting that Rizwan’s captaincy had not delivered the desired level of performance.

“We have to look at the team’s overall interest rather than individual performances,” Hesson said, emphasizing that selection decisions are being made with long-term goals in mind.

He explained that dropping Rizwan also served as a message to other players regarding performance standards and accountability within the squad.

Hesson noted that player confidence has improved over the past year and that the team is now focusing on building a broader pool of options ahead of the next T20 World Cup, scheduled for next year.

He further indicated that the management is actively evaluating combinations and future leadership options as part of long-term planning for major upcoming tournaments.

The comments come amid ongoing discussion among fans and analysts regarding team selection and consistency in Pakistan’s T20 setup, particularly involving senior players and leadership roles.

Cricket experts say such decisions reflect a transitional phase in Pakistan cricket, where management is attempting to balance experience with new talent ahead of global competitions.