Coach Hesson backs Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman ahead of ODI tri‑series final

Coach Hesson’s vote of confidence

Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson told the PCB that Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman are “two of the greatest players in Pakistan’s history” and that he expects them to step up in the ODI tri‑series final against Sri Lanka at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Saturday.

“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.

Recent form of the pair

The two senior batters have struggled to make big scores in the tournament so far:

• Babar Azam: 45, 34, 10, 29
• Fakhar Zaman: 16, 0, 10, 5

These numbers have raised questions about their current confidence, but Hesson believes the pressure of a final can bring out their best.

Pakistan’s route to the final

Despite the dip in form, Pakistan reached the final with three consecutive wins:

• Defeated Sri Lanka by 37 runs
• Beat England by 87 runs
• Edge‑won against Sri Lanka by 1 wicket, with Shadab Khan’s unbeaten century sealing the chase

Hesson highlighted that winning without heavy contributions from the top order is a “good sign” of depth in the side.

What the final could mean

• For Babar and Fakhar: A platform to silence critics and reaffirm their status as senior leaders.
• For Pakistan: A chance to clinch the tri‑series title and build momentum ahead of upcoming international fixtures.
• For fans: A high‑stakes match that could showcase the resilience of a side that has performed well despite setbacks.

How to verify the information

All statements are drawn from Hesson’s remarks to the Pakistan Cricket Board, reported by the *Times of India* on 13 November 2024. Official match details – date, venue, and participating teams – can be confirmed on the PCB website and the ICC’s tournament page.