Babar Azam to keep the counters for Pakistan? Shocking twist in the return plans | Cricket news
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson rejected reports on Thursday suggesting that he had advised the Babar Azam star drummer to take a ticket office in order to recover his place in the national team of the T20i. The local media had largely reported that Hesson had made the suggestion during a recent official discussion with senior players in Lahore, where Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi were also present.“No discussion took place with Babar where I also suggested keeping counters,” said Hesson during a media interaction.He also pointed out that if Babar was to make a return on the T20i side, it would be an opener, probably in partnership with Saim Ayub or Fakhar Zaman.The Kiwi coach was criticized by several former Pakistani crickets, including Rashid Latif, Basit Ali, Mohsin Khan, Morin Khan and Sikander Bakht, following media reports.“They are very unfair with Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen, but I can assure you that these three will be back soon,” said Basit Ali.Mohin Khan also strongly criticized the idea, the disrespectful calling for Babar.“He has never kept the counters in all his career and you suggest that he keeps the counters. This is not the way to treat a former captain and senior,” said Mohin.Meanwhile, although Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen are not part of the team for the next Bangladesh tour, they were asked to attend the Karachi preparatory camp alongside the selected players.Addressing another subject of debate, Hesson denied having set a requirement for a compulsory strike rate for the selection of the team.
“Nor did I tell players that if they wanted to keep their place in the team, they have to beat at strike rates of more than 150,” he said.He recognized that Pakistan’s main challenge in T20 Cricket is its striker and stressed the need to align with modern format requirements.“We are working on certain things in this direction,” said Hesson.He also revealed that a plan is being formulated in collaboration with selectors to build a younger T20 side with a flexible and dynamic approach in the format.“We are looking at players ready to float in the order of strikers and to play several roles, but that does not mean that there will be no place for specialized players.”
Hesson confirmed that he was actively involved in the selection process. Once the selectors provided a pool of 20 players, the team management then decides to play XI or the 15 -members team.For the future, Hesson said he was aimed at giving players emerging players before the 2026 T20 World Cup, while experienced names will remain in the context.“Hasan Ali will play in the Antilles while we are also eager to see Shaheen Shah Afridi returning to a more effective role,” he added.
