Salman Butt: “I hope it’s only a rumor, and the selectors are not thinking this way because it’s unfair and, strategically, it can backfire”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt hopes it is only a rumour that Babar Azam will open the batting in the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Shadab Khan: “I want him to cover the slots we have in the middle order for the Pakistan team and that is why we are giving him opportunities as well”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan said he can see all-rounder Mubasir Khan taking one of the middle order batting spots in the national team.
Tayyab Tahir: “Kamran Ghulam played a wonderful knock. Players like us have been performing in the middle order because we want to do well for Pakistan in the future”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Tayyab Tahir wants to see himself and fellow Pakistan middle order batsman Kamran Ghulam continue scoring runs as he wants to ensure they “do well for Pakistan in the future”.
Misbah-ul-Haq: “Pakistan needs a batter like Abdul Samad in the later middle order who can bat against spin really well”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq believes the national team need a big-hitter like Abdul Samad in the lower middle order.
Iftikhar Ahmed: “When I play for Pakistan, I mostly play at number 6 or 7, which then becomes a little difficult for me to play to the best of my potential”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan power-hitter Iftikhar Ahmed said he cannot show his potential when batting at number six or seven.
Imam-ul-Haq: “The way he has performed in ODI cricket for the last seven years… his performances for Pakistan are very good”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq has praised limited overs captain Babar Azam for being a consistent performer in ODIs for the past seven years.
Mohammad Wasim: “Mohammad Haris took you to the final”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former chief selector Mohammad Wasim has questioned why Pakistan didn’t stick with big-hitting batsman Mohammad Haris when he took them to the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup.
Babar Azam: “The middle order needs to step up”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan limited overs captain Babar Azam has taken aim at the team’s middle order batsmen, saying they have to “step up”.
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.
Ramiz Raja: “You can play Saim Ayub in the middle order because Shadab is not fit at No.5. If a proper batter comes in, it will bring some stability in the middle order”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja believes opening batsman Saim Ayub should be demoted and replace Shadab Khan at the number five spot.
