Michael Vaughan: “I think Mike Hesson has dealt with it brilliantly because he clearly has to play Babar Azam, and he’s using him as an insurance policy”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson is using batsman Babar Azam as an “insurance policy” in T20Is.
The 31-year-old has been batting at number four in T20Is as of late, but Vaughan praised Hesson’s strategy, saying Azam can steady the innings if the men in green lose early wickets.
“But Babar Azam himself, I think Mike Hesson has dealt with it brilliantly because he clearly has to play Babar Azam, and he’s using him as an insurance policy. You lose two wickets; he’s your insurance. He comes in at No. 4, and he can just play,” Vaughan said on Cricbuzz as quoted by NDTV.
Azam is currently in the West Indies with the Pakistan team and was recently reappointed as Test captain, meaning he is in charge for the ongoing two-Test series being held in Trinidad and Tobago.
The men in green lost the 1st Test by 90 runs and are looking to bounce back in the 2nd Test, which is currently taking place.
After this, Pakistan will head to England for a three-Tests series from August 19 to September 13.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
Pakistan Squad for England Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah