Babar Azam
Pakistan men’s cricket team head coach Mike Hesson has officially confirmed that Babar Azam will continue to occupy the role of an opener in the batting lineup.
Hesson clarified recent speculation by firmly stating that there has been no discussion about Babar taking on wicketkeeping responsibilities for the team. “There has been no conversation with Babar Azam about wicketkeeping. We see him purely as an opener,” Hesson told the media, putting to rest rumours that had circulated around a possible change in Babar’s role.
Addressing concerns about the team’s batting performance, especially in the T20 format, Hesson emphasized that no batter has been asked to maintain an exceptionally high strike rate of 150.
Instead, he suggested that Pakistan’s recent struggles with the bat stem from broader challenges within the batting unit. He pointed out that the team is focusing on strengthening its batting foundation rather than setting unrealistic expectations on individual players.
Turning to the bowling department, Hesson praised pacer Hasan Ali for his impressive recent performances. The coach confirmed that Hasan Ali will be traveling with the team for the upcoming series in the West Indies, highlighting his valuable contribution. “Hasan Ali is playing very good cricket,” Hesson said, adding that the absence of some frontline fast bowlers has opened opportunities for other players to prove themselves. “Players who align with the international plans will be given more chances,” he added.
Hesson also spoke about the current status of Pakistan’s bowling attack. He described Shaheen Shah Afridi as a world-class bowler and noted the unfortunate absence of Haris Rauf due to injury. To fill this gap, Salman Mirza has been included as Hasan Ali’s replacement for the West Indies tour.
Regarding the selection process, Hesson clarified his role and the structure of team selection. He explained that he is part of the selection committee, which initially selects a pool of 20 players.
From this group, the team captain and coach jointly pick the final 15 players to be submitted to the chairman. This collaborative approach ensures a balanced and well-considered squad for each series.
Overall, Hesson’s comments highlight the team management’s focused approach toward preparing Pakistan’s squad for upcoming challenges, emphasizing stability in key roles and providing opportunities to promising talents.
