Mike Hesson Targets Babar & Rizwan Return for T20 World Cup

Reportedly in favour of reintegrating Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan into the national T20 system is newly appointed Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson. Recently sidelined both players are now under consideration for a comeback in line with Asia Cup 2025 and 2026 T20 World Cup preparations.

Hesson is keen on including the senior pair in long-term plans even though fresh faces might be tested in the next home T20I series against Bangladesh. The national selection committee decided to give younger players international exposure, so Babar and Rizwan were earlier dropped for the T20I series against New Zealand.

After just one series, the wicketkeeper batter was also ousted from T20I captaincy; Salman Ali Agha took up leadership roles in the shortest form. According to credible sources, Hesson lately visited selector Aqib Javed at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) headquarters to go about team strategy going forward.

Insiders close to Hesson say the head coach wants Babar and Rizwan to use a more aggressive style and raise their strike rates, thereby honing their skills. Hesson allegedly said in a private conversation that they are “match-winners,” meaning they can still provide game-changing performances given the correct job.

Planned to be hosted in Faisalabad and Lahore later this month, Pakistan’s next T20I assignment is a five-match home series against Bangladesh. But the political unrest between India and Pakistan has had a knock-on effect on local cricket, leading to a temporary suspension of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

A scheduling dispute results from PSL 10’s remaining matches being scheduled to start from May 17.

Originally set for May 25, the same day the PSL 10 final is now set to take place, hence perhaps shifting the bilateral series up on the calendar.

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