Pakistan’s head coach Mike Hesson has categorically denied rumours circulating in the Pakistani media suggesting that Babar Azam was asked to take up wicketkeeping duties to regain his place in the national team.
“Firstly, Babar Azam is not seen as a wicketkeeping option, no,” Mike Hesson said. “Not sure where that came from, but I have heard that speculation.”
The former New Zealand head coach, who is overseeing Pakistan’s white-ball reset alongside captain Agha Salman, was responding to reports claiming he had advised Babar to add a new skill — namely wicketkeeping — to increase his chances of selection. Mike Hesson clarified that Pakistan’s strategy does not involve using Babar behind the stumps but emphasised that the batter must improve to earn his spot back.
“Babar is competing for one of the opening positions at the moment,” he said. “But obviously we have Fakhar [Zaman] and Saim [Ayub] in those two roles at the moment, so he’s competing for that.”
Babar, who once seemed immovable at the top of Pakistan’s T20I order, was left out of the squads for the recent home series against Bangladesh and the upcoming return tour. His longtime opening partner Mohammad Rizwan was also excluded, signalling a shift in priorities under the new management.
Both players, however, have been attending a week-long training camp in Karachi alongside members of the current squad, a sign that the door remains open, but only if performance and adaptability follow.
Babar’s recent T20 struggles are well-documented, with his conservative approach increasingly coming under fire. Pakistan’s new think tank, including Mike Hesson, is looking to inject more intent and aggression into the top order; something Babar has been asked to embrace.
“In the last month or so, he’s made some really good changes,” Mike Hesson revealed. “Babar is one of many who have the ability to make those improvements. And I’m here to work with them and help them.”
For now, Babar Azam remains on the outside looking in. But under Mike Hesson’s guidance, the message is clear: evolve or risk being left behind in Pakistan’s T20 rebuild.
With the 2026 T20 World Cup cycle already underway, the pressure is mounting. And for Babar Azam, the comeback trail won’t rely on glove work but on batting intent.
