Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, on Thursday dismissed reports suggesting he had advised star batter Babar Azam to take up wicketkeeping in order to reclaim his place in the national T20I squad. Local media had widely reported that Hesson made the suggestion during a recent formal discussion with senior players in Lahore, where Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi were also present.“No discussion took place with Babar where I suggested he also keep wickets,” Hesson clarified during a media interaction.He further emphasised that if Babar is to make a comeback in the T20I side, it would be as an opener, likely partnering with either Saim Ayub or Fakhar Zaman.The Kiwi coach came under fire from several former Pakistan cricketers, including Rashid Latif, Basit Ali, Mohsin Khan, Moin Khan, and Sikander Bakht, following the media reports.“They are being very unfair with Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen but I can assure you these three will be back soon,” Basit Ali said.Mohsin Khan also strongly criticized the idea, calling it disrespectful towards Babar.“He has never kept wickets in his entire career and you suggest he keeps wickets. This is not the way to treat a former captain and senior,” Mohsin said.Meanwhile, although Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen are not part of the squad for the upcoming Bangladesh tour, they have been asked to attend the preparatory camp in Karachi alongside the selected players.Addressing another topic of debate, Hesson denied setting a mandatory strike rate requirement for team selection.
“I have also not told the players that if they want to keep their places in the team they have to bat at strike rates of over 150,” he clarified.He acknowledged that Pakistan’s primary challenge in T20 cricket is its batting and stressed the need to align with modern demands of the format.“We are working on some things in this direction,” Hesson said.He also revealed that a plan is being formulated in collaboration with selectors to build a younger T20 side with a flexible, dynamic approach to the format.“We are looking at players who are ready to float in the batting order and perform multiple roles but that does not mean there will be no spot for specialist players.”
Hesson confirmed he is actively involved in the selection process. Once the selectors provide a pool of 20 players, the team management then decides on the playing XI or the 15-member squad.Looking ahead, Hesson stated he aims to give opportunities to emerging players before the 2026 T20 World Cup, while experienced names will remain in the frame.“Hasan Ali will play in the West Indies while we are also keen to see Shaheen Shah Afridi return in a more effective role,” he added.
