Mike Hesson holds key meeting ahead of Champions Cup

MULTAN: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has arrived in Multan for the National Champions Cup, where he held an important meeting with the coaching staff of all four participating teams as the domestic tournament gets ready to kick off the 2026-27 season.

Hesson met the head coaches of the four sides — Misbah-ul-Haq, Ijaz Junior, Iqbal Imam and Aizaz Cheema — to discuss ways of improving players’ one-day cricket skills and ensuring that the tournament serves as a meaningful platform for national selection and development.

Pakistan bowling coach Ashley Noffke and National Cricket Academy (NCA) Head of Coach Education Shahid Aslam also attended the meeting, adding further weight to discussions around player development and coaching standards.

The meeting comes at an important time for Pakistan cricket, with the Champions Cup being viewed as the first major step towards preparations for next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

Hesson’s presence in Multan signals the national team management’s focus on closely monitoring domestic performances while identifying players capable of making the jump to international cricket.

Particular attention is expected to be given to players’ consistency, tactical awareness and ability to handle pressure in the 50-over format. The tournament will also provide coaches with an opportunity to assess emerging talent in a competitive environment.

The National Champions Cup will begin on August 11, coinciding with the official start of Pakistan’s 2026-27 domestic cricket season.

With the World Cup on the horizon, the tournament could prove crucial in shaping Pakistan’s next generation of one-day performers.