Pakistan panel rocked as selector who opposed Babar Azam’s inclusion resigns, frustrated at Mike Hesson’s authority

Aleem Dar stepped down from the Pakistan men’s selection committee after repeatedly feeling sidelined in key selection discussions.

Updated on: Mar 4, 2026, 08:50:43 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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Days after Pakistan’s forgettable T20 World Cup 2026 campaign ended with a Super 8 exit, a member of the national selection committee resigned, reportedly citing “frustration over the authority of coach Mike Hesson and the perceived silence of fellow committee member Aqib Javed.” A washed-out game against New Zealand and a defeat to England in the second stage ultimately derailed Pakistan’s semifinal hopes.

Pakistan's Babar Azam, left, walks off the field with head coach Mike Hesson after a net practice session (PTI)

According to a Geo News report, former international umpire Aleem Dar stepped down from the Pakistan men’s selection committee after repeatedly feeling sidelined in key selection discussions. The report added that Dar had strongly opposed the inclusion of Babar Azam, Shadab Khan and Usman Khan in the T20 World Cup squad.

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Babar had an underwhelming show in the World Cup, managing just 91 runs in four innings at just over a run-a-ball strike rate, and was dropped from the playing XI in the match against Sri Lanka. Shadab, on the other hand, scored 183 runs and picked up just five wickets.

Dar had instead backed wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan for the crucial No. 6 role, arguing that if opportunities were being extended to inconsistent performers, Rizwan too deserved a defined role in the middle order.

The report further highlighted a growing internal rift within the panel, with Aqib Javed frequently aligning with Hesson’s views, while former captain Misbah-ul-Haq remained largely silent during key deliberations. The absence of robust debate reportedly left Dar “feeling isolated and his contributions undervalued.”

The resignation ends Dar’s 17-month stint as a selector. He had been appointed on October 11, 2024, as part of a revamped panel that also included Javed, former Test captain Azhar Ali and analyst Hasan Cheema.

Pakistan had qualified for the Super 8 as the second-best team in Group A, with their only first-round defeat coming against India in Colombo. In the second stage, they lost to England in their first completed fixture. Although they beat Sri Lanka in their final match, the victory margin was insufficient to surpass New Zealand’s net run rate, leading to their elimination.

It marked Pakistan’s fourth successive failure to reach the semifinals of an ICC tournament.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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