Mohammad Hafeez slams Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson had said that Babar Azam is a player of power play. Now former captain Mohammad Hafeez has expressed his displeasure over his statement.

New Delhi: Pakistan team somehow reached Super-8 in ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Its first match in the Super-8 was against New Zealand, but it was canceled due to rain. Pakistan was included in Group A of the tournament. In this group, Pakistan suffered a shameful defeat against India. After this defeat, there was an uproar in Pakistan cricket. Former cricketers are venting their anger on the players as well as the coaches. Former team captain Mohammad Hafeez has done something similar. Hafeez has targeted Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson and defended Babar Azam in a TV show.

Mohammad Hafeez scolded Mike Hesson for his statement on Babar Azam. Actually, Mike Hesson had said before the Super-8 match of New Zealand that Babar Azam is not a power play player. On Hesson’s statement, Hafeez said, “He read that comment 15 times, but did not understand at all. Babar is the highest run-scorer in this format. Till a few years ago, when the pitches in T20 were difficult and sporty, he used to play well as an opener.”

Babar has started playing in the middle order

Due to repeated failures in opening and low strike rate in the top order, captain Salman Ali Aga has started sending Babar at number 4. Hafeez said in the show ‘Game On Hai’, “Mike Hesson gave a statement on Babar Azam which I did not understand. He said that he is not a powerplay batsman because his strike rate is 100… I read this statement 15 times, but did not understand. What I ask is that Babar cannot play in the first six overs because his strike rate is low. Even after 10 overs, he cannot play, so why is he playing?”

What did Mike Hesson say on Babar?

Regarding Babar, Hesson had said, “I think Babar knows very well that his strike rate in the powerplay in the World Cup is less than 100. So clearly this is not the role that we need from him here. We feel that he is a good player in the middle overs, if needed, like we saw against America, when he gets set, he can increase the strike rate. That’s why we brought Babar back after the Asia Cup for a special role. We need the middle overs. I wanted batting and he gives it to us.”