Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Rashid Latif’s ‘Indian Agent’ Claim Fuels Pakistan Cricket Controversy
Rashid Latif questioned whether Pakistan coach Mike Hesson has strong links to India.
He pointed to Hesson’s work in the Indian Premier League and time spent in India.
Latif even suggested that Hesson might be an “Indian agent.”
However, the discussion gave no evidence for this serious claim.
Latif and Dr Nauman Niaz described their comments as essentially thinking out loud.
The original date of the video shared online could not be confirmed.
People on social media responded with jokes and references to the film Dhurandhar.
Hesson joined Pakistan during a difficult series against England.
Pakistan had already made several team and coaching changes before being dismissed for 133 in the third Test’s first innings at Headingley.
Former Pakistan player Rashid Latif questioned Mike Hesson’s links to India and the Indian Premier League.
Latif suggested the Pakistan Cricket Board should investigate foreign coaches with previous Indian Premier League connections.
He speculated, without evidence, that Hesson could have been sent to Pakistan with an ulterior motive.
The remarks circulated on social media, where users joked about the Bollywood film Dhurandhar.
Hesson is coaching Pakistan during a troubled England tour marked by player changes, coaching changes and an internal inquiry.
- Who
- Former Pakistan player Rashid Latif, commentator Dr Nauman Niaz and Pakistan coach Mike Hesson are central to the report.
- What
- Latif questioned Hesson’s India and Indian Premier League connections and suggested, without evidence, that he could be an “Indian agent.”
- When
- The video’s original date could not be independently confirmed; the remarks circulated during Pakistan’s England tour, when Pakistan was dismissed for 133 in the third Test’s first innings on Wednesday.
- Where
- The comments appeared in a video circulated on social media, while the cricketing context was Pakistan’s Test series against England at Headingley.
- Why
- Latif cited Hesson’s Indian Premier League association and time spent in India, but the allegation was not substantiated.
Latif’s Concerns
Evidence-Based Assessment
Hesson’s India connections
Latif’s Concerns
Latif pointed to Mike Hesson’s Indian Premier League association and the considerable time he has spent in India as reasons to question his appointment.
Evidence-Based Assessment
Those connections do not establish that Hesson was sent to Pakistan as an Indian agent or had an ulterior motive.
Foreign-coach investigations
Latif’s Concerns
Latif suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board should thoroughly investigate foreign coaches who previously worked in the Indian Premier League.
Evidence-Based Assessment
The report provides no evidence that Hesson’s prior Indian Premier League work compromised his loyalty or coaching role.
Public reaction
Latif’s Concerns
Some social media users treated the claim humorously and linked it to the Bollywood film Dhurandhar.
Evidence-Based Assessment
The allegation remains unsubstantiated and should not be treated as established fact.
- Main allegation
- Rashid Latif suggested Mike Hesson could have been sent to Pakistan with an ulterior motive and called him an “Indian agent.”
- Evidence
- The discussion presented no evidence supporting the allegation.
- Suggested review
- Latif questioned whether the Pakistan Cricket Board should investigate foreign coaches who previously worked in the Indian Premier League.
- Video status
- The original date of the circulating video could not be independently confirmed.
- Third Test change
- Hesson replaced Test coach Sarfaraz Ahmed for the third Test, according to the report.
- Match result cited
- Pakistan was bowled out for 133 in the first innings of the third Test at Headingley.
- Wider crisis
- Pakistan’s England tour included seven players being sent home, coaching changes and an internal disciplinary inquiry.
