Is Mike Hesson doing too much with Pakistan’s young players?”

Mike Hesson’s decision to involve Razaullah in Pakistan’s upcoming white-ball developmental squads may sound like a positive step on the surface. But it raises a much bigger question: does every talented Pakistani cricketer really need to be pushed into doing more, or should we first protect what makes him special?

Razaullah is 21, has only recently broken into international cricket and has already caught attention with his raw pace and aggression. He has been clocking 145+ km/h regularly, and that is precisely the kind of rare quality Pakistan should be protecting. His debut Test also showed why there is so much excitement around him.

Hesson says Razaullah will be involved in white-ball developmental squads and that his workload will be monitored.  But this is where Pakistan must be careful.

We have seen this tendency before, trying to make players do everything.

A fast bowler doesn’t necessarily need to become an all-rounder. A batter doesn’t need to become a part-time bowler. A player with one elite skill should first be allowed to turn that skill into a world-class weapon.

Razaullah’s greatest asset right now is his pace. If he is constantly moved between formats, asked to bowl extensively, bat, field and play every possible white-ball assignment, there is a legitimate concern that the very thing that makes him special could eventually suffer.

And let’s be honest: 145 km/h is far more valuable to Pakistan than turning a genuine fast bowler into a mediocre all-rounder.

There is no guarantee that his pace would drop to 130 km/h, but workload, conditioning and excessive cricket can affect a young fast bowler’s speed and longevity. Pakistan has already seen enough promising pacers lose their sharpness, struggle with injuries or have their development disrupted.

Now that Hesson is also being considered for a larger role in Pakistan’s Test setup, this becomes even more important. Reports today say he is open to taking the permanent Test coaching role after his interim stint.

Pakistan doesn’t need coaches who try to make every player a complete package. It needs coaches who understand what makes each player exceptional, and then build around it.

Razaullah doesn’t need to be everything.

Pakistan needs him to be a great fast bowler first.