Mohammad Amir: “We all say that number four does not belong to Babar Azam, then why [don’t] we try Khawaja Nafay?”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan speedster Mohammad Amir has questioned why selectors have not given emerging batsman Khawaja Nafay an opportunity to bat at number four in T20Is.
He suggested that if Babar Azam is not suited to that position, Nafay should be considered, as he has the potential to thrive in the role.
So far, the 24-year-old has played four T20Is, scoring 54 runs at an average of 13.50 and a strike-rate of 154.28.
He noted that if Babar Azam does not belong in that spot, then Nafay should get an opportunity as he could thrive in that position.
Nafay also featured in the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he mustered 77 runs in eight games for the Quetta Gladiators at an average of 9.62 and a strike-rate of 124.19.
Despite a slow start to his international career and an underwhelming PSL campaign, Amir believes Nafay still has the potential to succeed at the highest level.
“We all say that number four does not belong to Babar Azam, then why [don’t] we try Khawaja Nafay?” he was quoted as saying by Khel Shel.
Following the PSL, Pakistan played two Tests against Bangladesh and three ODIs against Australia.
Their next assignment is a tour of the West Indies, which will comprise two Tests in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to August 6.
After that, Pakistan will take on England in a three-Test series from August 19 to September 13.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
Pakistan Squad for England Test series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah