Pakistan Star Duo Face Uphill Battle for T20I Comeback
Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi Must Earn Their T20I Spots, Says Pakistan Coach Mike Hesson
Pakistan’s white-ball coach, Mike Hesson, has set a clear challenge for Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi to reclaim their places in the T20I team. The Pakistan stars duo, instrumental in Pakistan’s knockout stage runs at the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, were left out of Hesson’s first squad, which swept Bangladesh 3-0 at home last month.
However, with both players currently at a training camp in Karachi ahead of a three-match T20I series in Bangladesh, Hesson insists they’re key to his vision for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Strike Rate Conundrum for Babar
“Babar is competing for one of the opening positions,” Hesson revealed, dismissing wicket-keeping speculation. The former captain’s T20I strike rate of 129.81 trails behind current openers Fakhar Zaman (133.49) and Saim Ayub (138.48).
“It’s about increasing what you can offer the team. We’re often 30-40 runs short with the bat,” Hesson acknowledged.
Babar’s Recent T20 Performance
| Match | Runs | Balls | S.R |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 32 | 34 | 94.11 |
| USA | 44 | 43 | 102.32 |
| India | 13 | 18 | 72.22 |
| Netherlands | 25 | 22 | 113.63 |
| Bangladesh | 31 | 28 | 110.71 |
Shaheen’s Form Concerns
While Hesson described Shaheen as “a world-class player,” the pacer’s recent T20 form has been inconsistent. “We’ve identified specific areas Shaheen needs to work on,” Hesson noted. “Players go through good and bad periods, and it’s our job to help them come back stronger.”
| Match | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 4.0 | 52 | 0 | 13.00 |
| South Africa | 3.2 | 34 | 2 | 10.20 |
| England | 4.0 | 44 | 1 | 10.25 |
| Australia | 4.0 | 38 | 1 | 9.50 |
| India | 3.0 | 31 | 0 | 10.33 |
Pakistan Stars Comeback Before World Cup Hopes
Both players remain in contention for next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. The ongoing Karachi training camp represents a crucial opportunity to demonstrate required improvements.
“We don’t discount quality players, But we need them to perform better when they represent Pakistan.” Hesson emphasized.
What’s Next?
The upcoming Bangladesh series will be crucial for both players’ international futures. As Pakistan adopts a more aggressive T20I approach, established stars must adapt or risk being left behind.
