Wasim Akram: “I would like to see Rizwan as a middle order batter and maybe ask Babar to open the innings. Babar has a brilliant technique. If he plays 50 overs and scores a hundred, the batting will revolve around him”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Wasim Akram believes Babar Azam should open the batting in ODIs, while ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan should play in the middle order.
Azam batted as an opener in the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, where he made 62 runs in three games at an average of 20.66.
He continued to play at the top of the order in the 2025 Champions Trophy and finished with 87 runs, which included a top score of 64, at an average of 43.50.
Rizwan, meanwhile, amassed 171 runs, which included a top score of 122 not out, in the ODI tri-series at an average of 85.50.
In the Champions Trophy, he ended up making 49 runs in two games at an average of 24.50.
“I would like to see Rizwan as a middle order batter and maybe ask Babar to open the innings. Babar has a brilliant technique. If he plays 50 overs and scores a hundred, the batting will revolve around him,” the Sultan of Swing was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan were eliminated in the group stage of the Champions Trophy after losing to New Zealand and India.
Their final match against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a tour of New Zealand, which will consist of five T20Is and three ODIs that will be played from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir