Ramiz Raja: “Pakistan should open with Babar and Rizwan. I feel that it is their best chance”
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Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja wants limited overs captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to open the batting in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Explaining why he believes they should be the go-to opening pair, he noted that they will give the men in green the best chance of winning the tournament.
Additionally, they have batted together at the top of the order for a couple of years, meaning it is “a tried and tested combination” that works.
“Pakistan should open with Babar and Rizwan. I feel that it is their best chance. My suggestion is that the Pakistan team should use the talent that they currently have in the best possible way. Put the combination that gives you partnership, and takes the match to an end,” he said on his YouTube channel as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.
“Babar and Rizwan opening is a safe option it is a tried and tested combination. As of now, Pakistan lose a couple of wickets in the opening two-three overs which doesn’t allow momentum to build.”
Azam and Rizwan were recently in action in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which ended as a 2-2 draw.
They then featured in the three-match T20I series against Ireland, which the men in green won 2-1.
Pakistan’s next assignment will see them play four T20Is against England from May 22 to May 30.
Following this, they will participate in the T20 World Cup, which will be held in the West Indies and United States of America from June 1 to 29.
Pakistan’s first T20 World Cup game will be against the United States of America in Dallas on June 6.
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
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