Mike Hesson, the new white-ball coach for Pakistan, has outlined the steps Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi need to take to regain their place in the T20I team. Both players were crucial in Pakistan's previous T20 World Cup campaigns but were absent from Hesson's initial squad.
Hesson confirmed that both players are part of his long-term plans for the upcoming T20 World Cup. They are currently participating in a training camp in Karachi alongside teammates preparing for a T20I series in Bangladesh.
Regarding Babar Azam, Hesson clarified that he is not being considered as a wicket-keeping option. Instead, Babar is competing with Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub for an opening batting position. Hesson acknowledged that Babar's strike rate needs improvement to remain competitive in the shortest format.
Hesson emphasized the importance of a good strike rate combined with a high volume of runs in T20 cricket. He noted that Pakistan's current T20 ranking reflects the need for improved batting strike rates. He believes Babar has the potential to make the necessary improvements.
For Shaheen Afridi, Hesson indicated that the left-arm bowler needs to enhance his performance with the white ball. He stated that Afridi, like all players in the camp, has specific areas to work on. Hesson emphasized that both players are in the broader picture for Pakistan's white-ball cricket, including T20s.
5 Comments
ZmeeLove
I trust Hesson’s judgment on this. He knows what he’s doing, and these players can still shine.
ytkonos
It’s embarrassing to see names like Babar and Shaheen being discussed when they’ve underperformed consistently.
lettlelenok
Babar and Shaheen have contributed so much in the past. They deserve a chance to prove themselves again.
dedus mopedus
Why is Hesson talking about strike rates when he’s choosing players based on reputation instead of performance?
ytkonos
Shaheen's performance has declined since the last World Cup, why is he still part of the plans?