Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has backed struggling batters Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, expressing hope for both batters to stand up to the challenge when Pakistan face Sri Lanka on Saturday in Lahore in the final of the ongoing ODI tri-series. So far in the series, Pakistan have been a raging force, securing their place in the final with three victories on the bounce, but Babar and Fakhar have experienced underwhelming outings, prompting a series of questions ahead of the ODI World Cup.
“You are talking about two of the greatest players in Pakistan’s history in the top three. I expect big players to stand up in big games,” Hesson said while speaking to reporters.
Hesson asserted that it’s been quite incredible to see Pakistan claim victories without big contributions from their key players.
“It’s been a pretty good couple of weeks. We have played some decent cricket without being perfect. To get three wins in a row without contributions from a few of our key players is a good sign."
The most stunning example of Pakistan’s brilliance came when all-rounder Shadab Khan’s heroics fired Pakistan to a spectacular one-wicket win over England last Sunday. Chasing a target of 242, Pakistan were reduced to 9-154, with their top-order faltering under pressure. However, Shadab Khan stepped up with a maiden century for Pakistan to take the side to an unimaginable win.
“The fact that we have been able to achieve the wins that we have without the top order performing as well as we know they are capable of is a good sign.