Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has defended the decision to reshuffle the batting order after Babar Azam was not sent out to bat in the do-or-die group-stage match, saying the former captain’s strike rate does not suit the role the team currently requires.
Babar, the highest run-scorer in T20 international history with 4,571 runs, was part of the playing XI but did not get a chance to bat in the must-win clash against Namibia. Powered by Sahibzada Farhan’s hundred, Pakistan posted 199 for 3 and secured a 102-run win to qualify for the Super Eights.
“I think Babar is well aware that his strike rate in the power play in the World Cup is less than 100 and that’s clearly not the role we think we need,” Hesson told reporters after Pakistan’s final practice session was washed out by rain.
Explaining the tactical call against Namibia, Hesson said timing and match situation were key factors. “The other day, we got to the 12th-over mark and at that point Babar Azam is not the best person to come in. We’ve got plenty of other options who can come in and perform that [finishing] role towards the end. And Babar’s actually the first to acknowledge that, you know he knows that he’s got a certain set of skills that the team require and there are certain times where other players can perform a role more efficiently,” Hesson said before Pakistan’s Super Eights match against New Zealand in Colombo.
Hesson insisted that Babar still has a clearly defined role in the side. “It’s what the team requires and Babar is well aware of that. He’s well aware that his strike rate in the PowerPlay in World Cups is less than 100, so clearly that’s not a role we need. We think he’s a fine player through the middle. If we’re in a little bit of trouble or, as we saw against the USA, once he gets himself set, he can increase his strike rate. We got Babar back in for a specific role post the Asia Cup, we wanted some batsmanship through the middle, and he certainly brings that for us,” Hesson said.
Babar was not the only senior player to miss out against Namibia. After conceding 101 runs in three matches, including 31 in two overs against India, pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi was also dropped.
Elaborating on that decision, Hesson said, “We picked the best team to play that particular game and we made a call that Salman Mirza was coming in for Shaheen. He bowled incredibly well. He was probably really unlucky not to be playing the second and third games. His record since he started playing for Pakistan is exceptional. And conditions have dictated that we are only playing two pacers and often those two are not even bowling their full quota of overs.”
Reiterating the clarity around Babar’s role, Hesson added, “We brought Babar back in for a specific role post the Asia Cup. We’ve got plenty of other options who can come in and perform that role towards the end. Babar is actually the first to acknowledge that. He knows that he’s got a certain set of skills that the team requires and there are certain times where other players can perform that role more efficiently.”
Hesson also stressed the challenge that awaits Pakistan in the next phase.
“New Zealand have played a huge amount in the subcontinent in recent times so we have to play at our best.”
Pakistan, the 2009 champions, will next face New Zealand in Colombo in their first Super 8s match of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup on February 21.
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