Pakistan cricket team is facing New Zealand in Super-8 today. The team won 3 out of 4 matches in the group stage, although questions were raised on the performance of many big players. Shaheen Shah Afridi was dropped from the playing 11 of the fourth match itself, whereas in that match against Namibia, Babar Azam was not sent to bat till number five. Now the video of what Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said in response to a question asked about Babar’s batting order is going viral.

In the press conference held before the Pakistan vs New Zealand match, a journalist asked the head coach of Pakistan, ‘Why is Babar Azam being played at number four? He used to open for Pakistan earlier, he also opens in BBL and other leagues, so why are you demoting him down the order?

Babar Azam’s strike rate problem- coach

Mike Hesson replied, “This is because of the team’s requirement. Babar Azam is aware of this. His strike rate is less than 100 in the powerplay, Babar also knows this. We do not want this kind of performance from him. He plays well in the middle order, like we saw against USA. Once he settles down at the crease, he can increase his strike rate.”

MIKE HESSON COOKED BABAR AZAM

Reporter: Why Babar is batting at No.4?

Mike Hesson: “It’s about what the team requires. Babar Azam’s strike rate during the powerplay is below 50, that’s not what we’re looking for from him”

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT? pic.twitter.com/4L3scVqP5N

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It is clear from this that Pakistan team management is worried about the low strike rate of Babar Azam, this is also the reason for his going down in the batting order. However, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi believes that Babar Azam should be made to open in T20 World Cup 2026 instead of Saim Ayub. Afridi said on a channel, “If you had gone to Pakistan thinking that Babar would play at number four, then it meant you had gone after losing to Pakistan.”