Mike Hesson addressed the change in Babar Azam’s batting position during the match against Namibia, stating his role did not align with the team’s T20 World Cup 2026 strategies. The former Pakistan captain did not get a chance to bat against Namibia after underperforming in matches against the Netherlands, USA, and India. Hesson noted that Babar has a T20 World Cup strike rate below 100, which he deemed inappropriate for the team’s current needs.
Hesson informed the media that the team established their roles for the Super 8 match against New Zealand. He mentioned that Babar is aware of his strike-rate issues. The coach indicated that they want Babar to excel by playing in the middle overs, as he needs time to improve his performance and gain momentum. Hesson clarified that Babar’s absence in the Namibia match was due to the 12th over not being suitable for him to bat, as the team needed players who could deliver strong finishes.
Hesson stated: “This is the role the team needs, and Babar understands that. He knows his strike rate in the powerplay during World Cups is below 100. We believe he can be effective in the middle, especially if we are facing difficulties. When we reached the 12th over, Babar wasn’t the best choice to come in. We have other players who can perform better in that situation. Babar acknowledges that he has specific skills the team needs, but sometimes other players can fulfill certain roles more effectively.”
Babar, the captain of Pakistan, has struggled to meet performance expectations during the T20 World Cup, partly due to a lack of experience. The pressure on middle-order batsmen is heightened, as he has scored just 5 runs, 46 runs, and 15 runs in three matches.
