Hesson expects Pakistan to peak in tri-series final against Sri Lanka
Pakistan reached the final after three consecutive tournament wins, though their top-order batters have struggled for runs throughout the competition.
Pakistan will play Sri Lanka in the tri-series final in Lahore on Saturday with Mike Hesson as head coach. The team reached the final after three consecutive tournament wins, though Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman have not scored a half-century in the competition and no Pakistan batter is among the top five run-scorers.
Hesson said the team has not played its best game yet and expects peak performance in the final. He called Babar and Fakhar two of the greatest players in Pakistan history and noted that big players stand up in big games. Pakistan have won 12 of 19 ODIs under Hesson, including series victories against Australia, Sri Lanka and South Africa, and he aims to win next year's 50-over World Cup.
CricHubb Take
Three wins without significant top-order contributions is an unusual foundation for a final. Hesson's confidence that big players will stand up suggests he believes the previous matches were preparation rather than the main event, but the lack of form from established names creates a narrow margin for error.