Ahmed Shehzad: “If Babar comes as an opener, then our middle order is already vulnerable, who will stand there? So, he should come in at number three and try to take the game deep with a good strike-rate”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan batsman Ahmed Shehzad feels limited overs captain Babar Azam cannot be an opener and must come in at number three in order to ensure the middle order isn’t left vulnerable.
As of late, Azam has batted as an opener and at one down, but Shehzad wants the 29-year-old to get comfortable at the number three spot and make it his own.
He added that the Pakistan skipper should also look to bat until the death overs and maintain a solid strike-rate in order to ensure the team posts a competitive total or is able to chase down big scores.
“If Babar comes as an opener, then our middle order is already vulnerable, who will stand there? So, he should come in at number three and try to take the game deep with a good strike-rate,” Shehzad was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Azam recently captained Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup and scored 122 runs in four matches at an average of 40.66 and a strike-rate of 101.66.
Pakistan lost to the United States of America and India before taking down Canada and Ireland.
Despite this, they were eliminated in the group stage of the competition as India and the United States of America made it through to the Super Eights.
Pakistan Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup: Babar Azam (capt), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
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