T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Babar is well aware of his low power play strike rate’ – Pakistan coach defends batting order change vs Namibia

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson explained why Babar Azam wasn’t sent out to bat in the do-or-die T20 World Cup 2026 fixture against Namibia earlier this week. The former Pakistan captain usually bats at No. 4, but Khawaja Nafay and Shadab Khan were promoted ahead of him at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Hesson said that Babar is well aware of his below-par strike rate inside the power play. The New Zealander mentioned that Pakistan lost their second wicket on the first ball of the 13th over, and sending someone who can play the finisher’s role ahead of Babar made more sense.

“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.

“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,” he added on the eve of Pakistan’s Super 8 clash versus New Zealand.

While Hesson highlighted Babar’s struggles in the powerplay, he said that the right-handed batter plays a key role through the middle overs and can also increase his strike rate after he spends some time in the middle.

“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.

Hesson reiterated that Babar acknowledges his limitations and responsibilities. The former also mentioned that the 31-year-old understands what the other batters in the side are capable of.

“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,” he added.

Pakistan lock horns with New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday, February 21. England and Sri Lanka, the other two teams in the group, square off on Sunday in Kandy.