Colombo: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has addressed Babar Azam’s batting snub in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against Namibia, citing a powerplay strike rate of less than a hundred at the mega event.
Babur, who scored 66 runs in three innings at a modest strike rate of 115.78, retained his place in the 2009 champions’ line-up for the must-win Namibia tournament in Namibia despite criticism following Sunday’s heavy 61-run loss to arch-rivals India.
The right-handed batsman, who has been batting at No. 4 since Pakistan’s three-match home series against Australia, was unable to bat in the high-stakes match as youngster Khawaja Nafey and all-rounder Shatab Khan were promoted above him.
The batting degradation and eventual snap prompted cricket fans to question his role in the team, and as a result head coach Hesson was questioned during his media briefing at the R Premadasa Stadium on Saturday ahead of the Green Shirts’ first Super Eight match against New Zealand.
In response, Hesson insisted the 31-year-old was not fit to bat at No.4 against Namibia as they were 107/2 in 12.1 overs with opener Sahibzada Farhan in the middle.
“The other day, we reached the 12th over mark. At that point, Babar Azam is not the best person to come in; we have a lot of options who can come in and play that role till the end,” Hesson told reporters.
“And Babur is actually the first to admit that he knows he has got a certain set of skills that the team needs. And sometimes other players can play their part better,” he added.
Hesson also addressed concerns about Babar batting at No.4 instead of his preferred opening slot, saying he was brought back into the side after the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 heartbreak.
“I think Babur is well aware that his strike rate in the power play at the World Cup is under 100, which is not the role we think we need,” Hessen said.
“After the Asia Cup we brought Babur back for a specific role,” he added.