Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has called for honest discussions between Babar Azam and Mike Hesson to maximise Babar’s impact in T20 cricket amid scrutiny over his strike rate.
Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show, du Plessis described Babar as a world-class player but said the rapid evolution of T20 cricket has left him slightly behind in scoring speed.
Before Pakistan’s washed-out match against New Zealand, Hesson pointed out that Babar’s strike rate in T20 World Cup powerplays was below a run a ball and suggested his best role was through the middle overs.
Du Plessis said modern T20 cricket demands strike rates of 160 to 190 or higher to maximise the powerplay, adding that scoring at 120 to 130 is no longer enough.
However, he argued that Pakistan’s matches in Sri Lanka, where conditions are slower and spin-friendly compared to India’s flatter pitches, could increase Babar’s value as a middle-overs anchor.
Babar’s immense popularity in Pakistan has led to intense scrutiny of his recent T20 performances, with the team’s overall results often interpreted largely through his individual contributions.
He was dropped during Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign, with Hesson saying Babar needed to improve his strike rate and spin game in the Big Bash League.
Despite that stance, Babar was recalled before the Big Bash League and retained his place in the team following what was described as a lacklustre tournament.
Du Plessis said honest communication was essential, explaining that when statistics are clearly presented, a player must choose between resisting criticism or accepting the need for improvement.
At 31, Babar has led Pakistan in 86 T20 internationals and played 144 T20Is and 347 T20 matches overall, making further transformation challenging but necessary.
