In a touching show of unity and respect, the Pakistan national cricket team came together in Karachi to offer their condolences to head coach Mike Hesson on the passing of his mother. The gesture was made during a team dinner hosted by manager Naveed Akram Cheema on the eve of the white-ball training camp that begins today.
The dinner, held at a local venue with players and coaching staff in attendance, served as an informal kick-off to Pakistan’s preparations for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Before the evening’s proceedings began, the entire camp observed a one-minute silence to honour Mike Hesson’s mother, who passed away recently.
The moment of reflection was led by senior figures within the setup and underscored the sense of togetherness within a squad currently undergoing transition both on and off the field. Hesson, who took over as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach just a few months ago, has quickly earned the respect of the dressing room, and his loss was met with heartfelt support from players and staff alike.
The upcoming tour of Bangladesh will be Mike Hesson’s first assignment outside of Pakistan. The training camp for that series officially commenced today at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi and will run until July 15. It includes the 15-member squad selected for the three-match T20I series in Dhaka, as well as five additional players called up by the PCB.
A press conference by Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha is scheduled for the final day of the camp, during which he is expected to share thoughts on the team’s preparation and leadership transition.
While the team’s focus now shifts to on-field preparations, the pre-camp gesture served as a reminder of the bonds being built under the current management. For Mike Hesson, whose professional journey has taken him across the cricketing world, the moment offered something deeper—the solidarity of a team standing beside its coach in a time of personal loss.