Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has addressed the growing debate around Babar Azam’s role in the batting order during the T20 World Cup 2026.
Mike Hesson spoke to the media after Pakistan’s scheduled practice session in Colombo was called off due to heavy rain, with the team preparing for a crucial Super Eight match against New Zealand.
During the press conference, a reporter pressed the coach on Babar Azam’s prolonged dip in form and questioned why Pakistan’s star batter is no longer opening the innings, a position he has traditionally held in T20 cricket.
The coach responded bluntly, saying the move is driven by team requirements and the demands of the powerplay phase.
“It’s about what the team requires. Babar Azam is well aware that his strike rate in the World Cup during the powerplay is below 100, so clearly that’s not the role we need from him,” Hesson said.
The discussion around Babar’s position has intensified since Pakistan’s win over Namibia, a result that sealed qualification for the Super Eight stage.
One moment from that match stood out during Pakistan’s innings, Babar Azam was not event sent in at the No. 4 position, and the team instead promoted Khawaja Nafay and Shadab Khan.
Mike Hesson explained that the decision in that game was also tactical, shaped by the conditions and the opposition’s bowling.
“Babar was the first to recognize that the left-arm spinner was getting sharp turn. It wouldn’t have been a smart move to send a right-hander in at that stage. Once the left-arm spinner finished his spell, Nafay came in to take him on, and that’s exactly what we needed at that time,” he said.
