PowerPlay role not what we need from Babar: Hesson

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson indicated the team is not obligated to bat Babar Azam at the top of the order or at No. 4 if the match situation demands a batter with a different skillset.

Babar, returning to the squad for the T20 World Cup after being dropped for the Asia Cup, has not been an automatic choice to open. Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub have held the opening roles, with Farhan strengthening his case with a century against Namibia. In a recent match, Babar was held back as Khawaja Nafay and Shadab Khan were sent ahead of him.

"We got to the 12th over mark and at that point, Babar Azam is not the best person to come in," Hesson said. "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 he's got a certain set of skills that the team require, and there are certain times where other players can perform that role more efficiently."

The decision is supported by data. Babar's strike rate against spin since his return has been just over 100, which is considered insufficient for middle-overs acceleration if required. Each of his five dismissals in 2026 have come against spin.

"Babar was the first to recognise when left-arm spin was taking shape and it was turning that it wasn't a smart move to send out two right-handers," Hesson explained. "Then the left-arm spinner had finished and Nafay went out to take the game on. That's what we needed at that time."

Hesson also suggested that even as an opener, Babar's skills may not suit Pakistan's PowerPlay requirements, where only two fielders are outside the circle.

"I think he's well aware his strike rate in the PowerPlay in World Cups is less than 100 in T20s. So clearly, that's not a role that we think here we need," Hesson stated.

"We think he's a fine player through the middle if required, in terms of 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 at that point. We brought 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."

Pakistan have the option to replace Babar in the XI, with Fakhar Zaman available as a more attacking, left-handed alternative.

"Fakh is in the squad, yes," Hesson said. "We know that if he's required, if we end up having to play a lot of left-arm spin and the ball turns, that the advantage of that is important. We've got that flexibility within the squad."