Shahid Afridi accuses Mike Hesson of destroying Babar Azam and protecting Saim Ayub

Former Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi has adamantly disagreed with Mike Hesson's strategies and has slammed him for not having promoted Babar Azam midway through the ICC T20 World Cup, especially after Saim Ayub failed to get runs at the top of the order.

Pakistan lost the match to England by 2 wickets, though the massive amount of scoring was done by the English captain Harry Brook alone, as he scored a century in 51 balls to take his team through to the knockouts. This loss not only affected their chances but also their high morale, which they flexed with so many T20I series wins coming into this ICC tournament.

However, results have not gone their way on big money matches. They were thrashed by India and later by England. The other big game vs New Zealand was luckily washed out by rain.

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"When Saim Ayub failed to perform, Babar should have been offered his position," Shahid Afridi angrily burst out at Mike Hesson

Pakistan happened to pick Saim Ayub as the opener for the T20 World Cup alongside the dynamic Sahibzada Farhan, who has been exceptionally consistent for them, except for one match against India. Though Farhan is the highest run-getter in the competition, Ayub's batting form of late has been a massive concern.

Former Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi is now displeased with Mike Hesson for not having promoted Babar Azam to the top, as he was present in the XI as one of the most experienced batters in the T20 unit.

"He had a senior option in the form of Babar Azam, who is not ideally a player to play at no. 4. You had planned to play at no. 4, and now you have lost a bunch of matches, so you should make him swap to his natural role at the top," opined Afridi.

Though Saim Ayub's utility remains, as he can bowl quality spin and has been a standout performer with the ball lately, Shahid Afridi thinks he should have been offered a different role after having failed at the top.

"Especially with Saim Ayub playing in the first few matches as an opener, Babar should have replaced him after he failed to produce an impact as an opener," Afridi added.

"They also had Fakhar as an option." - Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi continued blasting the Pakistani head coach, as after Babar, he next pointed out the presence of Fakhar Zaman, another experienced batter in the side. Zaman has been part of many former World Cups for India; however, he is no longer a part of the first-choice XI.

"They also had another option in Fakhar Zaman. But for him, I can consider that he is such a player who can perform equally well in the middle order, coming in at no. 5 or 6."

He looked visibly frustrated with the wrong call on Babar Azam, excusing the non-promotion of Fakhar Zaman, since the left-hander has the ability to take the scoring rate higher during the back end of the innings and operate through the middle overs as well.

Shahid Afridi then said, "I don't want to get all cranky early in the morning. It will ruin my 'Roja'."

Shahid Afridi is angry on Mike Hesson for not Sending Babar as Opener despite Siam's failurepic.twitter.com/KhT2IPk1TT

— Pakistan Cricket Team USA FC (@DoctorofCricket) February 25, 2026

Pakistan have very slim chances of qualification after New Zealand's dominant victory against Sri Lanka

After New Zealand's commanding victory over Sri Lanka yesterday at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Sri Lanka is officially knocked out, and they will be the final match opponents for Pakistan, which is a must-win for them.

New Zealand's final game is against the English side. England have not been in the finest of touch, though they have scored runs consistently. New Zealand can yet have the upper hand over the English side, who have already been through to the semi-finals.

For Pakistan to qualify, they need to win against Sri Lanka by a surplus of runs, and New Zealand needs to be defeated by the English side. Hence, Pakistan would look to the English, pleading for them to keep their chances open.

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