Pakistan Coach Mike Hesson Speaks Frankly on Babar Azam's Batting Approach
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson delivered candid remarks regarding captain Babar Azam's strike rate on the eve of their crucial Super Eight match against New Zealand at Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium. The discussion comes amid scrutiny over Babar's position in the T20 World Cup squad following a challenging season in Australia's Big Bash League.
Babar Azam's Recent Form Under Scrutiny
Babar Azam's performance in the Big Bash League raised significant concerns, with the star batsman managing only 202 runs across 11 innings at a strike rate of 103.06. During that tournament, he hit just three sixes and registered scores of 14 or less in eight of his appearances. This form prompted questions about his role in Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign.
The uncertainty extended to Pakistan's final group match against Namibia, where Babar was notably not sent to bat at his usual position. When Salman Ali Agha was dismissed off the first ball of the 13th over, Khawaja Nafay entered instead. An over later, when Nafay departed, Shadab Khan walked out to bat, leaving Babar waiting in the dugout.
Hesson's Clear Assessment of Babar's Role
"Look, it's the role the team requires, and Babar is well aware of that," Hesson stated during the pre-match press conference. "I think he's well aware his strike rate in the powerplay in World Cups is less than 100."
The coach elaborated on Babar's specific value to the team: "We think he's a fine player through the middle if required, especially if we're in a bit of trouble. As we saw against the USA, once he gets set, he can increase his strike rate. We brought Babar back in for a specific role post the Asia Cup. We wanted some batsmanship through the middle, and he brings that for us."
Hesson explained the tactical decision against Namibia: "The other day, when we got to the 12th over mark, Babar Azam was not the best person to come in. We have other options who can perform that role better at the end. Babar is the first to acknowledge that. He knows he has a certain set of skills the team requires, and at times other players can perform certain roles more efficiently."
Strategic Changes and Team Decisions
During the Namibia match, Pakistan implemented two significant changes:
- Dropping pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Demoting Babar Azam from his usual batting position
When questioned whether these moves represented a fundamental shift following Pakistan's loss to India, Hesson clarified: "I wouldn't say that. Salman Mirza deserved his opportunity. Babar was the first to recognise that when the left-arm spin was taking shape and the pitch was turning, it wasn't smart to send out two right-handers. Once the left-arm spinner finished, Nafay went out to take the game on. That's what we needed at that time. It was about roles, not a paradigm shift."
The coach further justified the bowling change: "We made a call that Salman Mirza was coming in for Shaheen, and he bowled incredibly well. To be fair, he was probably unlucky not to be playing the second and third games." Shaheen had conceded 31 runs in just two overs against India before being omitted for the Namibia encounter.
Clarifying Misinterpreted Team Dynamics
Hesson also addressed speculation about his relationship with Salman Ali Agha after a video clip showing an apparent argument during the Namibia match circulated widely.
"I got sent that video, and you guys have got that completely wrong," Hesson explained. "I was going over to talk to Salman about getting Nawaz to put the pads on as a left-hander. Agha was upset about getting out and threw his bottle on the ground. It had nothing to do with our conversation."
He added further context: "Once the left-arm spinner finished, we spoke about Shadab going in and Nawaz getting his pads on. It was a very simple conversation. Amazing what people can interpret sometimes."
Looking Ahead to New Zealand Challenge
Pakistan will face New Zealand on Saturday in what promises to be a critical Super Eight encounter. The match will be played on the same surface previously used for the Sri Lanka versus Zimbabwe game, adding another strategic dimension to both teams' preparations.
As Pakistan continues its T20 World Cup journey, Hesson's transparent communication about player roles and team strategy provides insight into the decision-making process behind Pakistan's evolving approach to the tournament.
