New Coach Mike Hesson Defends Babar Azam’s Role Amid T20 World Cup

COLOMBO (Azat TV) – Mike Hesson, the newly appointed white-ball coach for the Pakistan national men’s cricket team, has been actively addressing key team issues and public scrutiny as the squad competes in the crucial ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Hesson has notably defended star batter Babar Azam’s revised batting role and clarified a recent viral on-field incident, emphasizing strategic team decisions ahead of Pakistan’s Super Eights campaign.

Hesson Clarifies Babar Azam’s Batting Position

Head coach Mike Hesson has provided a robust defense for the tactical decision to hold back Babar Azam from batting in Pakistan’s must-win group-stage match against Namibia. The move, which saw Khawaja Nafay and all-rounder Shadab Khan promoted ahead of Babar, sparked considerable debate among fans and analysts. Hesson explained that match circumstances dictated the decision, stating that Babar was not the optimal choice at number four when Pakistan was well-placed at 107 for two in the 13th over, with opener Sahibzada Farhan set at the crease. Hesson noted, “At that point, Babar Azam is not the best person to come in. We’ve got plenty of other options who can perform that role towards the end,” as reported by The Express Tribune.

Hesson further elaborated that the decision to shift Babar from his preferred opening position to a middle-order role was made after Pakistan’s performance at the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025. He highlighted Babar’s powerplay strike rate in the current World Cup, which is under 100, underscoring that this does not align with the team’s required role for an opener. According to Hum English, Hesson has strongly indicated that Babar will not return to the opening slot in T20Is, asserting that ‘Babar understands that the demands of modern T20 cricket, especially in global tournaments, require a higher tempo in the powerplay.” The coach stated that Babar, who has scored 66 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 115.78 in the tournament, understands the reasoning and the team’s need for players who can perform specific roles more efficiently.

Addressing Team Dynamics and Viral Incidents

Beyond strategic batting decisions, Mike Hesson also addressed a viral clip that surfaced following Pakistan’s match against Namibia, which showed a tense exchange between captain Salman Agha and the head coach. The video depicted Agha throwing a bottle in frustration, with Hesson and Babar Azam nearby. Hesson has since clarified the incident, telling NDTV Sports that it was a moment of frustration, and he advised Agha to maintain calm, which the captain acknowledged. This swift clarification aimed to dispel speculation and maintain focus on the team’s performance.

As Pakistan prepares for its first Super Eights fixture against the New Zealand cricket team at the R Premadasa Stadium, Hesson also discussed the upcoming challenge. He dismissed the notion of any psychological edge based on historical records, despite Pakistan holding a five-to-two advantage over New Zealand in T20 World Cup encounters. Hesson emphasized that success is achieved through skill, not past results or mindset. “I don’t think games are won or lost psychologically. I think they lost; they won through skill,” he stated, looking forward to starting the Super Eights campaign strongly.

Pakistan’s Path in the T20 World Cup

Pakistan enters the Super Eights with lingering questions about the optimal utilization of its most prolific batter, Babar Azam, in a high-pressure tournament. Hesson’s firm stance on Babar’s middle-order role reflects a strategic shift towards adapting to the evolving demands of contemporary T20 cricket, prioritizing situational effectiveness over traditional player positions. This approach, Hesson believes, will enable other players to perform roles more efficiently, especially in the crucial powerplay overs.

The early tenure of Mike Hesson as Pakistan’s white-ball coach has been marked by decisive leadership in managing high-profile player roles and addressing team morale, indicating a clear strategic vision aimed at optimizing performance under competitive pressure.