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ISLAMABAD, Oct 26 (APP):Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has expressed strong support for the team’s recent selection decisions, emphasizing the balance between player development and preparation for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.
Speaking to the media at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Hesson detailed the rationale behind recent changes to the squad and outlined the team’s broader strategy.
Hesson said when asked about Fakhar Zaman’s return said, “We sent Fakhar back to first-class cricket for some technical adjustments. He was eager to return to the one-day setup, so we gave him a break from T20s to work on his game.
That created an opportunity for another top-order player, and it’s a great chance to bring Babar Azam back into the squad. He’s likely to bat at number three, and I’m confident he’ll excel in that role. It also gives us flexibility heading into the World Cup.”
About Mohammad Haris, Hesson said that the young wicketkeeper-batter remains part of Pakistan’s long-term plans.
“Haris has had several opportunities recently, and I think he’d admit he hasn’t made the most of them. He’s still developing, and his domestic numbers averaging around 17 with the bat in both first-class and T20 cricket show there’s room for improvement. He needs to refine his decision-making with the bat and consistency to push for selection again,” Hesson said.
The coach also highlighted Usman Khan’s inclusion, citing his strength against spin bowling. “Usman plays spin very well, and we see our wicketkeeper batting more through the middle order. Playing spin will be crucial in Sri Lanka during the World Cup, which is why he’s getting this opportunity in the current series,” he said.
He downplayed comparisons to South Africa’s previous squads, noting significant differences in personnel. “This side is quite different from the one that played Namibia. It’s a dangerous T20 unit with several match-winners. We’re aware of their strengths, but our focus remains on our own preparation. We’ve won 15 of our last 21 T20s, which shows progress, but we still have work to do,” he said.
When asked about Pakistan’s performance in the Asia Cup final, Hesson refused to label the defeat as a choke. “We were in a good position but couldn’t finish it off. But it highlighted areas we must improve, particularly our approach to spin through the middle overs. We’ve made a few adjustments that we hope will show results in this series,” he said.
Discussing squad depth, Hesson revealed ongoing competition for several spots. “We’ve firmed up most of our core players, but there’s still healthy competition, especially among the spinners and wicketkeepers.
Usman Tariq has been brought in as an exciting prospect, and Sufiyan Muqeem remains in our plans despite returning to first-class cricket for further development. Fakhar’s return also intensifies competition in the top order. This series and the upcoming tri-series will help us finalize our best combinations ahead of the World Cup,” he said.
Meanwhile, the trophy for the Pakistan-South Africa T20 series was unveiled in a ceremony by the captains of both teams, Salman Ali Agha and Donovan Ferreira, as they lifted the trophy together in Islamabad. The first T20 match of the series is scheduled to take place on October 28 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.