Pakistan’s quest for the tri‑series crown hinges on a single bat to lift the team out of a low‑point run. New Delhi‑born Babar Azam, currently on 34, faces the pressure of turning his form around.
The side has already tasted victory, beating Sri Lanka by 37 runs and England by 87 runs before a nail‑biting 1‑wicket win over Sri Lanka in the last group game. Shadab Khan’s unbeaten century in that match was the spark that kept the hopes alive.
Yet, the top order has been a mixed bag: Babar’s 45, 34, 10, and 29, while Fakhar Zaman’s 16, 0, 10, and 5 fail to impress. Hesson’s confidence in the duo, calling them among Pakistan’s greatest, is a vote of faith that the big day could bring out the best.
Hesson said the team's ability to win without big contributions from the top order is a good sign, urging Babar and Fakhar to deliver a match‑winning performance in the final. He stressed, "We’ve played decent cricket without perfection, so this is the perfect platform to unleash our best game yet."
As the final looms, Pakistan’s coaching staff is banking on a breakthrough from their senior batters while relying on their bowlers to keep the opposition at bay. The stakes are simple: a title and the chance to reset the narrative of Pakistan’s current ODI struggles.
The final showdown against Sri Lanka awaits at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Pakistan will now look to turn the tide in their favour and secure a triumphant finish to the tournament.