LAHORE (The Thursday Times) — Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has backed Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman to deliver in Saturday’s ODI tri-series final against Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Stadium, despite a top-order slump that left the hosts bowled out for 110 by the same opponents on Tuesday.
“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 in a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Thursday.
Pakistan reached the final with three straight wins before an eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka, who chased down their target with more than 30 overs to spare. “To get three wins in a row without contributions from a few of our key players is a good sign,” Hesson said. “I still don’t think we have played our best game yet. Hopefully, we are saving that for the final.”
The numbers
Fakhar has managed just 31 runs in four innings, including a first-ball duck against England, while Babar has scored 118, with a best of 45 in the tournament opener. Saim Ayub, who opened in the first three matches, made 21 runs in three innings before being released at his own request to work on his batting in domestic cricket. Sahibzada Farhan was named as his replacement, and opener Maaz Sadaqat was called up earlier in the series.
Sri Lanka booked their place in the final behind Dilshan Madushanka’s five-wicket haul in Lahore, knocking out England.
