Pakistan Head Coach Mike Hesson confirms Babar Azam will not Open in T20s

2026-02-21 - 09:03

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan cricket team head coach Mike Hesson has confirmed that Babar Azam will no longer be assigned the opening position in T20 matches, signaling a strategic shift in the team’s batting order. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s Super 8 clash against New Zealand, Hesson explained that Babar’s strike rate during powerplays in T20 World Cups has consistently remained below 100, which does not align with the team’s current aggressive approach. The coach said Babar is better suited for the middle order, where he can play a stabilising role, especially when the team faces pressure or needs to rebuild an innings. “Since returning to the team after the Asia Cup, Babar has mostly been batting at number four with a defined role,” Hesson noted. Highlighting Babar’s performance against the USA, Hesson added that the batter increased his strike rate once settled—a pattern that the team now expects from him in the middle order. He also pointed out that other players are more effective in the finisher role, making Babar’s adaptability crucial. Coach Mike Hesson confirms that Babar will not regain his place at the top of the order 🗣️ Read more: https://t.co/TNOghTgrbl pic.twitter.com/WY7YzQnI6V — ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 21, 2026 The statistical data from Babar’s fifth T20 World Cup shows that he scored 187 runs off 217 balls during powerplays, resulting in a strike rate of 86.17. At his current number four position, his strike rate is around 120, which is considered modest in the high-paced format of modern T20 cricket. Hesson added that Babar’s role is evolving from a central aggressor to a stabiliser and backup option, reflecting Pakistan’s broader strategy of optimising batting roles to balance power, consistency, and finishing capability. Pakistan v New Zealand Super 8 match today: Live streaming, weather forecast and predictions