Home NATIONAL NEWS Frustrated with Mike Hesson, Aleem Dar resigns from Pakistan selection panel: Report

Frustrated with Mike Hesson, Aleem Dar resigns from Pakistan selection panel: Report

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Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS

Senior Pakistan cricket selector Aleem Dar has reportedly resigned from his role on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) national selection committee following the team’s disappointing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign.

Geo Super reported that Dar stepped down amid growing frustration over the significant authority exercised by head coach Mike Hesson in selection matters, as well as what he perceived to be a lack of opposition or intervention from fellow selector Aaqib Javed, after Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals.

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Dar, a former elite ICC umpire who joined the selection panel in October 2024, submitted his resignation to PCB officials following the team’s inability to qualify for the semi-finals, marking the first major administrative fallout from the early World Cup exit.

Sources indicated that the 57-year-old had been increasingly frustrated by internal selection disputes, particularly disagreements over the inclusion of senior players such as Babar Azam and Shadab Khan, whose recent performances had reportedly come under scrutiny. Reports further suggest Dar was dissatisfied with the extent of authority exercised by Hesson in final selection decisions, becoming a key factor contributing to his resignation.

Dar’s departure leaves the selection committee comprising Aaqib Javed and Asad Shafiq, alongside data analyst Usman Hashmi, as the PCB evaluates its next steps in rebuilding the squad’s leadership structure.

PCB FINES PAKISTAN CRICKETERS

The PCB, in the meantime, imposed a financial penalty on the national team following their disappointing World Cup exit. According to The Express Tribune, each squad member will be fined PKR 5 million (approximately Rs 16 lakh) for failing to meet performance expectations.

The move, reportedly led by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, signals a stricter accountability approach after a series of underwhelming ICC performances.

Reports suggest the decision was informally finalised during the group stage, particularly after Pakistan’s high-profile defeat to India in Colombo, which left Naqvi visibly displeased.

Pakistan endured a disappointing World Cup campaign. In the group stage, they played four matches, winning two and losing two, including a heavy defeat to India in Colombo. However, they managed to revive their campaign with a crucial victory over Namibia to stay in contention for qualification.

Despite narrowly progressing to the Super 8 stage, Pakistan failed to build momentum. They lost two of their three matches in the second round, suffering defeats to New Zealand and England. With just one win in the Super 8, Pakistan finished outside the semi-final positions, bringing an inconsistent and underwhelming campaign to a premature end.

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Published By:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published On:

Mar 3, 2026 22:02 IST

SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA