Babar Azam may have found a supporter in their head coach, Mike Hesson, but there are former players and critics who do not back his inclusion in Pakistan’s T20I side. Hesson believes that Babar brings stability to the middle-order despite a low strike rate.
In the ongoing T20 World Cup, Babar has scored 15 against the Netherlands then struck 46 runs against the USA, and in the match against India he score five runs. Babar came under heavy criticism after the India match, with calls for him to be dropped from Pakistan’s must-win clash against Namibia. Reports even suggested he would be left out. However, he retained his place in the playing XI, though he was pushed down the order as Khawaja Nafay took over the No. 4 spot.
Pakistan beat Namibia to qualify to the Super Eight and while speaking in the press conference after the match, Hesson explained why the team persisted with Babar.
“I think he’s well aware that his strike rate in the powerplay in (T20) World Cups is less than 100. So clearly, that’s not a role that we think here we need. We think he’s a fine player through the middle, if required, in terms of if we’re in a little bit of trouble. Or as we saw against the USA, once he gets himself set, he can increase his strike rate at that point. So, we brought Babar back in for a specific role post the Asia Cup. We wanted some batsmanship through the middle, and he certainly brings that for us,” Hesson said.
However, Hesson’s comments has not gone down well with former stars of Pakistan cricket, with Mohammad Hafeez slamming the head coach over his remarks on Babar.
“He (Hesson) made a statement on Babar Azam that I didn’t understand,” Hafeez said on the show ‘Game On Hai’.
“He said neither he’s a powerplay batter because his strike rate is 100. I read this statement 15 times, but I didn’t understand. He said that Babar can’t bat in the first six overs, because his strike-rate is quite low; he gave that stat, nor could he bat after the 10th over. Toh wo khel kyun raha hai? (Why is he playing?) he added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s first Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup 2026 against New Zealand in Colombo, was abandoned on Saturday due to rain. Both teams shared one point each as Pakistan are scheduled to play their second Super Eight match against England on Feb 24 in Pallekele.
