Mike Hesson: “I think Haider has the qualities to become a truly world-class finisher. But he’s got to learn the role”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Islamabad United head coach Mike Hesson is confident out of favour Pakistan batsman Haider Ali can transform himself into a “world-class finisher”, but admitted that “he’s got to learn the role.”
His comments come after Haider played for Islamabad in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), which the franchise won after beating the Multan Sultans by two wickets in the final.
The 23-year-old from Attock was not picked by any team in the players’ draft but ended up getting selected in the replacement draft.
In the seven matches he played, he scored 103 runs, which included a top score of 52 not out, at an average of 25.75 and a strike-rate of 163.49.
Hesson noted that Haider can excel as a finisher as there aren’t many batsmen in Pakistan who can fill that position. However, in order to rise above the competition, he acknowledged that the young big-hitter has to put in a lot of work.
“I really want him to work on becoming a finisher. I think it’s an area that there are very few players in Pakistan that can do [it]. There are a lot of guys that can bat in the top four, but I think Haider has the qualities to become a truly world-class finisher. But he’s got to learn the role,” he told PakPassion.
Pakistan are now involved in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which is taking place in Rawalpindi and Lahore until April 27.
Pakistan Squad for New Zealand T20I Series: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan
Non-travelling reserves: Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha
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