Pakistan’s White-Ball Head Coach, Mike Hessen, rejected the report on Thursday, stating that he had advised Star Better Babar Azam to take wicketkeeping to regain his place in the National T20I squad. Local media had widely stated that Hessen had recently suggested during a formal discussion with senior players in Lahore, where Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi were also present.“There was no discussion with Babur, where I suggested that he also takes wickets,” Hessen clarified during a media interaction.He further emphasized that if Babur has to return to the T20I side, it would be as a opener, possibly partnered with SAIM Ayub or Fakhar Zaman.After media reports, Kiwi coaches from many former Pakistan cricketers including Rashid Latif, Basit Ali, Mohsin Khan, Moin Khan and Sikander Bakht came under fire.Basit Ali said, “They are very inappropriate with Babur, Rizwan and Shaheen, but I can assure you that all three will come back soon.”Mohsin Khan also strongly criticized the idea, called it derogatory to Babur.Mohsin said, “He has never taken wickets in his entire career and you suggest that he takes wickets. It is not a way to treat a former captain and senior.”Meanwhile, although Babur, Rizwan and Shaheen are not part of the squad for the upcoming Bangladesh tour, they have been asked to attend the preparation camp in Karachi with selected players.Addressing another topic of the debate, Hessen refused to determine the requirement of a mandatory strike rate for the selection of the team.
He said, “I have not even told the players that if they want to hold their place in the team, they will have to bat at a strike rate of more than 150,” they clarified.He admitted that Pakistan’s primary challenge in T20 cricket is its batting and emphasized the need to align with modern demands of format.“We are working on some things in this direction,” Hessen said.He also revealed that a plan is being prepared in collaboration with the selectors to create a young T20 side with a flexible, dynamic approach to the format.“We are looking at players who are ready to swim in batting order and play many roles, but this does not mean that there will be no place for expert players.”
Hessen confirmed that he was actively involved in the selection process. Once the selectors offer a pool of 20 players, the team management then decides on the playing XI or 15-member squad.Looking forward, Hessen said that his aim is to give opportunity to the emerging players before the 2026 T20 World Cup, while the experienced name will be in the frame.He said, “Hasan Ali will play in the West Indies, while we are willing to see Shaheen Shah Afridi back in a more effective role.”
