'Less than 100'- Mike Hesson opens up on Babar Azam’s strike rate, Salman Ali Agha rift, Shaheen Afridi omission
Times of India
by PRATYUSH RAJFebruary 20, 2026
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Mike Hesson, Pakistan’s head coach, addressed concerns about Babar Azam’s strike rate ahead of their crucial Super Eight match against New Zealand in the T20 World Cup. Hesson acknowledged that Babar’s performance in Australia’s Big Bash League was subpar, with a low strike rate of less than 100 in the powerplay and minimal sixes hit. Despite this, Hesson emphasized that Babar’s role within the team is strategic, particularly when the team requires stability in the middle overs. He highlighted Babar’s ability to adjust his game once settled, as seen against the USA.
During Pakistan’s group match against Namibia, Hesson explained that Babar was not sent to bat at his usual position because other players were better suited to handle the role at that stage of the innings. This decision reflected the team’s focus on maximizing performance based on roles rather than a shift in strategy. Hesson also defended his handling of player rotations, including the omission of Shaheen Afridi and the inclusion of Salman Ali Agha, who bowled exceptionally well despite being dropped earlier.
The coach澄清了关于他与萨尔曼·阿里·阿迦（Salman Ali Agha）之间是否存在矛盾的传闻。他表示，此前 viral 的视频片段存在误解，当时他正与阿迦讨论如何安排球员 Nawaz 的位置，而阿迦因被击球而出愤怒扔掷瓶子。Hesson 解释说，这是一个简单的战术调整，并非个人恩怨。
This insight into Pakistan’s team dynamics highlights the importance of strategic player management in high-stakes tournaments like the T20 World Cup. Hesson’s comments underscore how player selection and roles are carefully calibrated to maximize performance, even if it means rethinking traditional batting orders or omitting key players. As Pakistan prepares for their match against New Zealand, the focus will be on whether these strategic decisions pay off and how the team adapts to challenges in the tournament.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026