Hesson backs Babar, Fakhar to deliver in tri-series final vs Sri Lanka
Synopsis
Pakistan are in the tri-series final without a single half-century from either Babar Azam or Fakhar Zaman — and coach Mike Hesson says that is precisely why Saturday's Lahore showdown is the perfect moment. With 12 ODI wins in 19 games under his belt and the 2027 World Cup looming, Hesson is banking on the biggest stage to unlock his two biggest names.
Key Takeaways
Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the tri-series final in Lahore on Saturday, 1 November 2026 .
Coach Mike Hesson publicly backed Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman to deliver a defining performance in the final.
Neither Babar nor Fakhar has scored a half-century in the tournament; no Pakistan batter is among the top- 5 run-scorers.
Pakistan reached the final with three consecutive wins , despite below-par contributions from their top order.
Hesson has overseen 12 victories in 19 ODIs since taking charge, with series wins against Australia , Sri Lanka , and South Africa .
The coach said Pakistan are yet to play their 'best game' and is hoping that arrives in the final.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has expressed full confidence that senior batters Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam will step up when the hosts meet Sri Lanka in the tri-series final at Lahore on Saturday, 1 November, as the team eyes a marquee win to cement its momentum ahead of the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
The Concern in the Top Order
Despite Pakistan advancing to the final on the back of three consecutive victories, their batting performances have drawn scrutiny. Neither Fakhar Zaman nor Babar Azam has posted a half-century in the tournament, despite featuring in every match. Notably, no Pakistan batter currently figures among the competition's five leading run-scorers — a statistic that underlines just how much the team has leaned on collective contributions rather than individual brilliance at the top.
What Hesson Said
'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, as quoted by the ICC. The coach framed the final as a natural stage for Pakistan's most experienced names to rediscover their best form, arguing that the pressure of a title match could be the catalyst both players need.
'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,' he added.
Building Blocks for the 2027 World Cup
Hesson's tenure has so far yielded 12 victories in 19 ODIs since he took charge the previous year. Pakistan's recent results include series wins against Australia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa — a run that has provided a credible foundation for their World Cup preparations. Consistent top-order contributions, however, remain the one missing piece that Hesson acknowledges the team must lock down in the format's longer run-chases and high-pressure knockouts.
Room for a Peak Performance
'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. I still don't think we have played our best game yet. Hopefully, we are saving that for the final,' Hesson stated.
This comes amid broader anticipation around Pakistan's white-ball rebuild, which has seen a more settled squad structure emerge after a turbulent period. The tri-series final against Sri Lanka now represents more than a domestic title — it is a live audition for the batting order that Hesson hopes will carry the side through the 2027 cycle.
Point of View
But it papers over a structural concern: two of Pakistan's marquee batters have gone the entire tournament without a meaningful innings, and that is not simply a form slump — it raises questions about top-order intent and shot selection in the powerplay. Winning three on the trot without your best players firing is a double-edged sword; it conceals problems that a well-prepared Sri Lanka attack in a knockout game could expose. With the 2027 ODI World Cup less than a year away, Pakistan need these two not just to 'stand up' once, but to find consistency across a tournament — something neither has reliably delivered in the 50-over format over the past 18 months.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka tri-series final?
The tri-series final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is scheduled for Saturday, 1 November 2026, in Lahore. Pakistan host the final after securing their spot with three consecutive wins in the group stage.
Why has Mike Hesson singled out Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman?
Hesson highlighted both players because neither has scored a half-century in the tournament despite playing every match, and no Pakistan batter currently ranks among the top-5 run-scorers. He said he expects 'big players to stand up in big games', framing the final as the ideal setting for them to rediscover form.
How has Pakistan performed in the tri-series so far?
Pakistan have won all three of their tri-series matches to qualify for the final unbeaten. Despite consistent results, coach Hesson acknowledged the team has not yet produced a complete performance and believes their best cricket is still to come.
What is Mike Hesson's ODI record as Pakistan head coach?
Since taking charge, Hesson has overseen 12 victories in 19 ODIs. Under his guidance, Pakistan have recorded series wins against Australia, Sri Lanka, and South Africa.
How does the tri-series fit into Pakistan's 2027 World Cup preparations?
Pakistan and their management view the tri-series, and particularly the final, as a key building block ahead of the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. Consistent batting contributions from the top order — especially from Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman — are considered critical to the team's 50-over ambitions.
