Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson speaks to the media in Dubai. PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has defended the choice to carry again Babar Azam throughout Pakistan’s must-win group-stage match towards Namibia on the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026, citing the previous captain’s low powerplay strike price within the event.
Babar, who has scored 66 runs in three innings at a strike price of 115.78, retained his place in Pakistan’s XI regardless of mounting criticism following his seven-ball 5 in a heavy 61-run defeat by arch-rivals India. Nevertheless, the right-hander didn’t bat within the Namibia match, with Khawaja Nafay and all-rounder Shadab Khan promoted forward of him within the order.
The transfer sparked debate amongst followers and analysts, prompting questions on Babar’s position within the facet. The difficulty was put to Hesson throughout his media briefing on the eve of Pakistan’s first Tremendous Eights fixture towards New Zealand cricket group on the R Premadasa Stadium.
Hesson stated match circumstances dictated the choice, stressing that Babar was not the appropriate choice at quantity 4 when Pakistan have been nicely positioned at 107 for 2 within the thirteenth over, with opener Sahibzada Farhan set on the crease.
“At that time, Babar Azam is just not the very best individual to return in,” Hesson stated. “We’ve bought loads of different choices who can carry out that position in the direction of the top.”
The coach added that Babar himself understood the reasoning. “He is aware of he’s bought a sure set of expertise the group require, and there are occasions the place different gamers can carry out a task extra effectively.”
Hesson additionally addressed issues over Babar’s continued use at quantity 4 quite than his most popular opening place, saying the choice was made after Pakistan’s disappointment on the ACC Males’s T20 Asia Cup 2025.
“I believe Babar is nicely conscious that his strike price within the powerplay on this World Cup is beneath 100, and that’s clearly not the position we expect we want,” Hesson stated. “We introduced him again for a selected middle-order position.”
Pakistan start their Tremendous Eights marketing campaign on Saturday as questions proceed to encompass how finest to make use of their most prolific batter in a high-pressure event.
