Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson is banking on his experienced top order to deliver when it matters most as the hosts prepare to face Sri Lanka in Saturday’s One-day International (ODI) tri-series final at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with the opening batters’ inconsistent form remaining a major concern.

Pakistan qualified for the final with three consecutive victories before suffering an eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in their last league match, when they were dismissed for just 110. The hosts will need a substantial improvement from their leading batters to avoid a repeat against the Islanders, who chased down the target with more than 30 overs to spare.

Speaking to PCB Digital in a video released on Thursday, Hesson said Pakistan had secured their wins despite some key players failing to make significant contributions, and expressed hope that the final would bring out their best.

“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,” he said.

“I still don’t think we have played our best game yet. Hopefully, we are saving that for the final.”

The numbers underline the challenge facing Pakistan’s top order. Fakhar Zaman has managed just 31 runs in four innings, while former captain Babar Azam has scored 118 in the same number of outings. Saim Ayub, who opened alongside Fakhar in the first three matches before being released from the squad at his own request, scored 21 runs in three innings.

Fakhar made 16 against Sri Lanka in the opening match, fell for a first-ball duck against England and scored 10 in the second England fixture before managing only five against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Babar began with 45 against Sri Lanka, followed it with 34 against England and then made 10 before scoring 29 in the latest defeat.

Saim scored seven, eight and six in his three appearances. He was subsequently released to return to domestic cricket and work on his batting form, with Sahibzada Farhan named as his replacement, while opener Maaz Sadaqat was also called up earlier.

Hesson, however, remains confident that Pakistan’s senior batters Fakhar and Babar can rise to the occasion, describing the final as an ideal opportunity for them to produce a match-winning performance.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

While the top order has struggled, Pakistan’s middle order has provided important contributions. Salman Ali Agha struck a commanding 107 off 90 balls in the opening victory over Sri Lanka, while Hasan Nawaz scored 79 against England. Arafat Minhas also made 59 in that match.

Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 113 against England in Lahore proved decisive, as he and Haris Rauf put together an unbroken 89-run stand for the last wicket to secure a remarkable one-wicket win.

Hesson singled out Salman’s achievements and praised Hasan’s development, particularly his growing ability to manage pressure in the middle order.

“Salman Ali Agha has got the most hundreds of any Pakistan player batting at number five or below in an ODI,” he said. “His performance is often underrated.”

He added that Hasan was learning to “control the chase, understand risk and manage it”, describing his progress as encouraging.

Pakistan’s bowling, led by captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, has also offered positives, with Hesson praising the left-arm pacer’s ability to take early wickets and acknowledging contributions from Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and young Arafat Minhas.

Pakistan, who have won 12 of their 19 ODIs since Hesson took charge as white-ball head coach last year, will hope their collective strength is complemented by a decisive contribution from the top order when the trophy is at stake.