Misbah-ul-Haq: “I think Saim is at the top, then you should either place Babar at three or open with him, or let Rizwan play at three or open. Saim should be the opener because you need a left-hand, right-hand combination”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq wants to see left-handed power-hitter Saim Ayub opening the batting for the national team in the 2024 T20 World Cup in June.
Ayub was recently promoted to the top of the order in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand in January 2024 and opened with Mohammad Rizwan.
Whether the men in green decide to stick with Rizwan as their go-to opener or give Babar Azam his opening spot back is not much of a concern for Misbah as he feels both batsmen are capable of opening the batting or playing at number three.
It should be noted that Azam batted at number three during the T20I series against New Zealand at the beginning of the year.
However, the limited overs captain was back opening the batting in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand in April 2024, while Rizwan was moved down to number three.
Regardless of this, Misbah said he simply wants Ayub opening as Pakistan should have a “left-hand, right-hand combination” to make life difficult for the opposition.
“I think Saim is at the top, then you should either place Babar at three or open with him, or let Rizwan play at three or open. Saim should be the opener because you need a left-hand, right-hand combination,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Next up for Pakistan will be a three-match T20I series against Ireland from May 10 to 14.
After that, they will play four T20Is against England from May 22 to May 30.
Pakistan Squad for Ireland and England T20I Series: Babar Azam (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan