'We don't see him...': Pakistan coach Mike Hesson questions Babar Azam's batting ability for T20 World Cup

Pakistan's head coach Mike Hesson has made it clear that Babar Azam will not be opening the innings for Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026, a decision driven by the need to adapt to specific match conditions. While Babar has secured his place, head coach Mike Hesson has signaled a major tactical shift by hinting that the veteran batsman will no longer occupy the opening slot for the national side.

Babar Azam won't open for Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan head coach

The announcement comes as Pakistan officially confirms its participation in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, revealing a squad shaped by significant overhauls. Hesson and the selection committee have made bold calls to reshape the team's core, most notably dropping pacer Haris Rauf, marking the first time he has missed an ICC tournament since his debut. Mohammad Wasim Jr. also finds himself excluded, while Babar Azam makes a high-profile return to the World Cup stage.

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Babar’s road back to the squad has been tumultuous; despite captaining the team in the previous World Cup, he was recently sidelined from the T20 format and shockingly omitted from the Asia Cup roster under Hesson’s leadership. Seeking to rediscover his rhythm, he joined the Sydney Sixers for the current Big Bash League season. However, his stint in Australia failed to silence critics, as he struggled to a strike rate of nearly 100 while scoring just over 200 runs across 11 innings.

These lackluster performances have sparked intense debate regarding his suitability for the modern game. During a recent press conference, reporters pointedly questioned the selection committee, noting that Babar’s conservative style of play appears increasingly at odds with the aggressive, high-tempo demands of contemporary T20 cricket.

While Hesson acknowledges that Babar may not be the ideal candidate to exploit the field restrictions during the Powerplay, he still sees immense value in the veteran. The coach believes that Babar's vast experience as the leading run-scorer in T20 international history makes him a versatile asset who can contribute significantly in various other phases of the game.

"We don’t see him opening because the ability to take advantage of the powerplay is very important. However, Babar has a lot to offer in other areas. Also, if we are chasing a low score, he has the ability to control the chase," Hesson said during a press conference.

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Under the current tournament structure, Pakistan is scheduled to play all of its matches in Sri Lanka to avoid traveling to co-host India. This arrangement includes the high-profile group-stage clash against India, which is slated to take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 15.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad:

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq