ENG vs PAK: Rashid Latif’s ‘India Agent’ Remark on Mike Hesson Over IPL Links Sparks Outrage (WATCH)

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif sparked controversy by calling coach Mike Hesson an ‘India agent’ over his IPL links. His comments questioning Hesson’s loyalty amid Pakistan’s poor England tour drew widespread backlash from fans and critics.

Former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif has sparked controversy after labelling the team’s white-ball and interim red-ball coach Mike Hesson an ‘India agent’ over his links to the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Mike Hesson was appointed as Pakistan’s white-ball coach in May 2025 after Gary Kirsten stepped down from his role due to frustrations over a lack of structural autonomy from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and internal rifts. However, Hesson recently stepped in as red-ball coach following a dramatic mid-series shake-up in England, where the PCB cleared out coaching staff and sent seven players back home.

The former New Zealand cricketer was tasked with overseeing Pakistan’s crisis-ridden Test setup at Edgbaston, where the visitors were already bundled out for 133 in the first innings, failing to cross the 200-run mark for the fifth consecutive innings in the ongoing Test series.

Rashid Accuses Hesson of Being ‘India Agent’

As Pakistan are already in the midst of a disastrous tour, trailing 0-2 and struggling to find answers against a rampant English attack, former captain Rashid Latif stirred a massive storm by questioning the New Zealander's integrity and long-term loyalties.

Comparing Hesson to foreign managers like Bob Woolmer and Geoff Lawson, whom he praised for establishing deep roots and genuine commitment to Pakistan cricket, Latif argued that modern franchise pathways invite dangerous conflicts of interest, adding that he has doubts about anyone coming from the IPL.

“The loyalty factor is very important, and it remains doubtful. I am not saying someone is not loyal. He might be of course; he might, but it's better if these things are checked. Check the history. The connection would be there." Latif said.

“So the damage that we couldn't do, maybe someone will who can damage you, no matter which coach comes from abroad. But one who is directly linked with IPL, from people there, who might want to use him, that's how agents are formed," he added.

This is a former Pakistani test cricketer (Rashid Latif) calling Mike Hesson an Indian Agent indirectly via an unintelligent word salad. He is such a coward that he uses Dr Nauman Niaz to wiggle out by saying we have no evidence, we're just thinking out loud while he spews his… pic.twitter.com/1X2pGqjSjY

— कुशल मेहरा (@kushal_mehra) September 10, 2026

Before becoming Pakistan’s red-ball coach, Mike Hesson served as head coach and Director of Cricket Operations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru from 2019 to 2023, steering the franchise to three playoff appearances during his tenure.

Social Media Erupts Over Latif’s Comments on Hesson and IPL Links

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif’s controversial remarks on Mike Hesson’s loyatly to Pakistan cricket has sparked backlash on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans and cricket enthusiasts criticising his ‘India agent’ claim and questioning the reasoning behind linking Hesson’s IPL association to Pakistan’s struggles.

Taking to their X handles, many fans slammed Latif’s remarks, while others mocked the suggestion that Hesson’s IPL connections could influence his loyalty or performance as Pakistan’s coach. Several users also argued that Pakistan’s poor performances should be attributed to the team’s own shortcomings rather than blamed on India or the IPL.

However, some users went a step further, mocking the ‘India agent’ claim and accusing Latif of blaming India for Pakistan’s cricketing failures. Others questioned the logic behind his comments, with one user describing Hesson as simply being part of a ‘pathetic' Pakistan team rather than an agent.

THEY ARE TALKING NON SENSE TO GET VIEWS. EVEN THEY KNOW THAT HOW CORRUPT SYSTEM OF THEIR COUNTRY IS, AND NOTHING IS GONNA CHANGE - END OF SPORTING ERA IN PAKISTAN !!! #MA86

— MR ALONE (@mralone86) September 10, 2026

Mike Henson is not an agent it’s just Pakistan team is pathetic, weak, gross 🤮

— ConservativeApproach (@RohitDaima6715) September 10, 2026

Mohsin Naqvi is also an Indian agent who destroyed Pakistan's cricket team.

— Vikas Seth (@Searcher_79) September 10, 2026

Imagine the level of delusion brought on by desi daru.

— Mohit (@SunnyMohit95) September 10, 2026

their whole country brain is rotten to the core, they have been brainwashed so badly, to a point of no return, India-India-India😭☠️ Hesson an Indian agent? get it together clowns 🤡 https://t.co/0gWN3ksSuX

— Arnav (@TheDrArnav) September 10, 2026

I think it's possible , we will watch the truth in Dhurandhar 3. https://t.co/ibFKfcc242

— saket (@babaprempujari) September 10, 2026

Complex these guys have from India is just next level. They are corrupt, cheaters and unprofessional lot themselves but, can't get over blaming India for there failures

— Siddharth Jain (@Jain0486) September 10, 2026

Everyone has a point of view in Pakistan. However, no one is correct.

— GS (@rabmehr) September 10, 2026

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

— Kunal Singh Pundir (@pundir_kunal) September 10, 2026

Rashid Latif went from a person who used to make sense to someone who behaves like a nonsensical troll in matter of 2 years . 🤡

— Bharat Gupta (@BharatGupta291) September 10, 2026

They cannot unlearn what they have systemically fed even after having abundant international exposure..

— Vivek Rana MD, DM (@drvivekrana15) September 10, 2026

These idiots have become crazy. Used to be good but then started only blaming India for every damn thing. And I thought education fixes things

— TrophyChorNaqvi (@trophychornaqvi) September 10, 2026

Meanwhile, after having lost the series 0-2, the Babar Azam-led side faced an uphill battle to avoid a complete whitewash as England's bowling attack continued to assert total dominance in conditions tailor-made for seam and swing.