Ex-India opener Kris Srikkanth has lambasted the Pakistan team and stated that they’ll not develop with Mike Hesson as their head coach. His words came ahead of Pakistan’s Super Four clash in the 2025 Asia Cup against India in Dubai on September 21, 2025.
India registered a 7-wicket win over Pakistan in a Group A clash at the same venue. Pakistan failed to match the intensity and caliber of the Indian team. The Men in Green are no longer considered the favorites to win the tournament for the first time.
Without holding back, Srikkanth likened Pakistan to a team in the seventh level of the Chennai League. Srikkanth went on a tirade against the Pakistani team, claiming that they should count themselves lucky to be included in the Asia Cup at all.
In addition, he criticized coach Mike Hesson for his pregame comments and predicted more of the same ahead of Sunday's Super 4 matchup.
"It's a big thing for them that they are even allowed to play in such a prestigious tournament. Mike Hesson will be back with his statements tomorrow on how they are a very good team and they were unlucky in the last match against India. You'll go nowhere with Mike Hesson as your coach," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Following their elimination from the group stages of the most recent ICC competitions, the 2023 ODI World Cup, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the 2025 Champions Trophy, the Pakistani side is undergoing a period of transition. The selectors have taken audacious decisions, including leaving out Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam from the T20I selections.
Srikkanth wasn't holding back when criticizing Pakistan, saying that their recent poor performance made them unworthy of being considered one of the best teams in the game. He even dismissed the rivalry between India and Pakistan, claiming that the Men in Blue are no longer threatened by them.
"Going forward, they shouldn't be playing with the main teams. Have them among the associate nations and bring a few of the others here. Pakistan should be removed from the top seven. From here on, India-Pakistan matches won't attract crowds. The India-Pakistan rivalry has become history. This Pakistan team will give us no scare. This is a seventh division team in a Chennai league,” Srikkanth said.
