Babar Azam and Rizwan have the backing of all rounder showing Malik as Pakistan T20 world cup openers
With the T20 world cup just around the corner Pakistan cricket team remains the only team yet to finalize their squad. This indecision comes from the crucial question: who should open the batting?
Recent experimentation has drawn criticism with the farmer chairman Ramiz Raja questioning the inclusion of SaimAyub. Veteran all rounder Shoaib Malik agrees, pointing out the high risk approach of Ayub leading to inconsistency.
Malik suggested, “Saim is a gamble.” For high scoring matches he should be an option but for games with a par score of 160-170 Babar-Rizwan should open.
The recent performance of Ayub has not helped the case. In the last two series against New Zealand and Ireland his scores were underwhelming. He managed to score only 52 runs in four matches against the New Zealand cricket team averaging a mere 14.25. Although he had a brief moment of brilliance in the first T20 match against Ireland his overall scorecard remained underwhelming with 65 runs at an average of 21.67.
Conversely Babar and Rizwan have rekindled their form. Their record breaking partnership of 139 runs in the third T20 match against Ireland showcased their immense potential. This partnership not only helped the team towards their victory but also marked a historic milestone as this is the first time any pair has achieved a 10 century partnership in the T20Is.
The duo holds the record for most century partnerships in T20 it testament to their remarkable consistency. Their return to form bolsters Pakistan’s world cup hopes.