“I Certainly Endorse Selection of Babar Azam, and He Will Be Batting at the Number Three Spot,” Pakistan’s Coach Mike Hesson
Rawalpindi / October 26, 2025 — Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson on Sunday publicly backed the return of Babar Azam to the national T20 side, saying he “certainly endorse[s] the selection” and that Babar will be used at number three in the upcoming three-match T20I series against South Africa.
Hesson made the comments at a pre-match press conference ahead of the first game in Rawalpindi, announcing Babar as a replacement following squad changes that saw Fakhar Zaman moved out of the T20 setup. The coach described Babar as a player of “remarkable class and composure,” and indicated the team management sees him as the ideal anchor at No. 3 to stabilise the middle order.
The recall comes after Babar’s high-profile omission from Pakistan’s Asia Cup squad earlier this year amid concerns over his T20 strike rate and ability to keep pace with the format’s increasing scoring demands. Hesson has previously urged Babar to sharpen certain areas of his T20 game; the coach said the player’s current form and experience justified the decision to bring him back for the South Africa series.
Speaking about selection policy, Hesson stressed that picks are performance-driven and that no player — however celebrated — is guaranteed a place without meeting the team’s tactical needs. He added that while the team wants impact hitters at the top, having a technically sound batter like Babar at three will provide balance, especially in crunch situations.
The three-match series — seen as an important home assignment ahead of a busy white-ball calendar — begins this week in Rawalpindi. Pakistan supporters and pundits have reacted with a mixture of relief and scrutiny: some welcome Babar’s experience and run-scoring ability, while others say the management must ensure a defined role and realistic expectations to get the best from the former captain.
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What to watch in the series:
Babar Azam at No. 3: how quickly he adapts to the role and whether he balances consolidation with the required T20 strike rate.
Top-order balance: whether openers and middle-order partners provide the power-hitting platform Babar will need to anchor from No.3.
