Mike Hesson reveals why Babar Azam wasn't picked for Asia Cup 2025; throws open challenge
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has revealed that Babar Azam is a very fine player but has been asked to improve in some areas to meet the demands of T20 cricket. This is the reason why Babar Azam was left out when the PCB officially unveiled the Asia Cup 2025 squad.
Pakistan has named its squad ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. They have revealed their official 17-member squad for the upcoming tri-series as well as the Asia Cup, both of which will be played in the UAE.
The revealed squad has dealt a major blow to the hopes of Pakistani veteran Babar Azam and the ODI skipper Mohammed Rizwan, since both players have not made the cut to feature in the continental championship. Salman Ali Agha is all set to lead the team.
Mike Hesson reveals the major reason behind Babar Azam's snub from the Asia Cup squad
After Babar Azam has been snubbed from the Pakistan National cricket team in the shortest format of the game, the head coach will be answerable to the press as well as to several fans of the veteran on social media.
However, the former New Zealand international turned coach has made a clear statement as to why Babar has been overlooked for the upcoming Asia Cup, hence ending all discussions once and for all.
He has cited that Babar Azam, the veteran cricketer, has undoubtedly been asked to improve in a few areas, one of the major concerns being his weak show against spin bowling, which has a role to play in the UAE.
Next, Babar, ever since the start of his T20 career, has been criticized for having a low strike rate in the majority of his big-scoring games, and in this format, more than scoring a large amount of runs, scoring runs at a faster rate seems to be the actual job.
Mike Hesson said, "There's no doubt that Babar Azam has been asked to improve in some areas, particularly against spin and in terms of strike rate. He's working hard to improve."
"He's too good a player for us not to consider," A massive claim made by the Pakistan head coach
After revealing why Babar Azam has been dropped from the Pakistan side, the current head coach, Mike Hesson, who has been reported to disagree with the veteran on many notes, has backed him as a world-class player.
Mike Hesson says, "Babar Azam has an opportunity to play in the BBL and show that he's improving in the areas needed in T20Is. He's too good a player for us not to consider."
Undoubtedly, Babar is one of the finest players in the format in the world, as he has the second-highest runs in the format, with only a few runs behind, surpassing the great Rohit Sharma. While his records have featured in many fewer games.
"If Babar and Rizwan perform like the other players, then they will definitely play," Aaqib doesn't hold back
The former Pakistan head coach Aaqib Javed, who has been replaced by Mike Hesson as the white-ball coach of the Pakistan side, was also with the new coach in the press conference since he is also a member of Pakistan's Men's Selection Committee.
Unlike Mike Hesson, who was sweet-mouthed on his stance over Babar's exclusion, Aaqib has been direct and has launched an attack on the compromised form of the two seasoned batters, Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan.
He said, "If Babar and Rizwan perform like the other players, then they will definitely play," leaving all shell-shocked.
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Tagged:
Pakistan National Cricket Team Asia Cup Mohammed Rizwan Babar Azam Mike Hesson Aaqib Javed PCB
