Iftikhar Ahmed: “I have played at every batting position in domestic cricket, including at numbers 4 and 5. In the Pakistan team, you don’t have a choice; you play wherever you fit into the combination”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan big-hitting batsman Iftikhar Ahmed has conceded that he doesn’t have a choice when choosing where he prefers to bat for the national team in T20Is.
Iftikhar had brought some stability to Pakistan’s middle order and the 33-year-old himself confirmed that the team management want him coming in to bat after 12 overs.
Despite not being able to pick his batting position, the Peshawar native has full confidence in his abilities and knows he can dominate at any number.
“I have played at every batting position in domestic cricket, including at numbers 4 and 5. In the Pakistan team, you don’t have a choice; you play wherever you fit into the combination. I have confidence in my abilities to perform well for Pakistan at any position and in any condition. I’ve discussed this with management, and they believe it is more appropriate for me to bat after 12 overs,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
“My batting style is beneficial to the team in lesser overs. As a batter, I prefer to receive four or five balls before attacking. Whether playing early or late, I have to consider both the match situation and conditions.”
Iftikhar recently featured in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand and scored 31 runs at an average of 15.50 and a strike-rate of 100.
In the three-match T20I series against Ireland, he amassed 42 runs at an average of 42 and a strike-rate of 221.05.
Next up for Pakistan will be four T20Is against England from May 22 to May 30.
They will then play in the T20 World Cup, which will take place 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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