Shoaib Malik: “Many people say that T20 cricket has changed. Even if it [has] changed, you still need an anchor”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik believes Babar Azam still has a future in T20Is as the national team needs someone who can play the anchor role.
Azam previously opened the innings for Pakistan, but concerns over his strike-rate led to him losing that position.
More recently, he has been used at number four, but inconsistent performances have raised questions about his long-term future in the shortest format.
“Many people say that T20 cricket has changed. Even if it [has] changed, you still need an anchor,” Malik was quoted as saying on Facebook.
Azam was recently reappointed as Test captain and is now leading Pakistan in a two-Test series against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago.
After their tour of the West Indies, Pakistan will face 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 Shafique, 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, 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