MOHSIN ALI
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has backed his experienced top order to deliver on the big stage as the hosts gear up to face Sri Lanka in Saturday’s One-day International (ODI) tri-series final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Pakistan reached the final after three successive victories but suffered a heavy eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in their last league match, where they were bowled out for only 110. The Islanders chased the target with more than 30 overs to spare, leaving Pakistan with clear batting concerns ahead of the title clash.
Speaking to PCB Digital in a video released on Thursday, Hesson said Pakistan had played good cricket over the past couple of weeks, despite not being at their best and despite some senior players yet to make major contributions.
“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,” he said. “I still don’t think we have played our best game yet. Hopefully, we are saving that for the final.”
Pakistan’s opening and top-order form remains a major issue. Fakhar Zaman has scored only 31 runs in four innings, while former captain Babar Azam has made 118 runs in the same number of matches. Saim Ayub, who opened with Fakhar in the first three games before being released from the squad at his own request, managed 21 runs in three innings.
Fakhar scored 16 against Sri Lanka in the first match, was dismissed for a first-ball duck against England, made 10 in the second fixture against England and then scored five against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Babar started with 45 against Sri Lanka, followed by 34 against England, then made 10 before scoring 29 in the latest defeat.
Saim’s scores were seven, eight and six in his three appearances. He was later released to return to domestic cricket and work on his batting form. Sahibzada Farhan was named as his replacement, while opener Maaz Sadaqat had also been called up earlier.
Despite the lean run, Hesson expressed confidence in Fakhar and Babar, describing them as two of Pakistan’s finest players and saying the final provides the perfect platform for a decisive performance.
“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,” he said. “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. A couple of our key players are searching for that match-winning performance and there’s no better place to do it than in a final.”
While the top order has struggled, Pakistan’s middle order has played a vital role in keeping the side competitive. Salman Ali Agha struck an impressive 107 off 90 balls in the opening win against Sri Lanka, while Hasan Nawaz made 79 against England. Arafat Minhas also scored 59 in the same match.
Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 against England in Lahore was another standout performance. His unbroken 89-run last-wicket partnership with Haris Rauf sealed a dramatic one-wicket victory for Pakistan.
Hesson praised Salman’s record and said his contributions were often not given due recognition. He also highlighted Hasan’s improvement in the middle order.
“Salman Ali Agha has got the most hundreds of any Pakistan player batting at number five or below in an ODI,” he said. “His performance is often underrated.”
Hesson added that Hasan was learning to “control the chase, understand risk and manage it”, calling his progress encouraging.
Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, has also provided positives during the series. Hesson praised Shaheen’s ability to strike early and also acknowledged the roles played by Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and young Arafat Minhas.
Since Hesson took charge as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach last year, the national side has won 12 of its 19 ODIs. Pakistan will now be hoping that their overall strength is matched by a strong top-order display when the trophy is on the line in Lahore.
