Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, has publicly encouraged former captain Babar Azam to refine two key aspects of his game if he hopes to return to the national T20 side: striking against spin bowling and raising his overall strike rate, which currently stands at a modest 129 in T20 Internationals.
Despite being a cornerstone for Pakistan in Test and ODI cricket, Babar hasn’t featured in a T20I since the tour of South Africa late last year. His omission from the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup—and the board’s clear preference for more aggressive batsmen—signals a strategic shift.
Hesson acknowledged that Babar is diligently working on these areas. In the meantime, the management has placed considerable faith in emerging talent like Sahibzada Farhan, who has already earned three Player-of-the-Match awards in just six matches.
To stage a comeback, Babar is being encouraged to leverage opportunities in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia—an environment where he could demonstrate improvements in his T20 game and strengthen his case for selection.
Pakistan’s T20 campaign opens with a Group A match against Oman in Dubai on September 12, followed by a high-profile showdown with regional arch-rivals India on September 14.
Summary of Key Insights
| Focus Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Performance Gaps | Babar needs to sharpen his play against spin and increase his T20 strike rate (~129). |
| Current Status | Has not played T20Is since South Africa tour; left out of Asia Cup squad amid an emphasis on aggressive batting. |
| Emerging Competition | Players like Sahibzada Farhan are delivering impactful performances and earning accolades. |
| Path to Return | Playing in the BBL offers a prime platform for Babar to showcase improvements and reclaim a T20 spot. |
| Upcoming Fixtures | Asia Cup begins September 12 (vs Oman), followed by a marquee match against India on September 14. |
