Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has finally addressed his demotion in the batting order during the recent T20I series against New Zealand. While he remained silent at the time, a recent press conference following the Peshawar Zalmi vs. Karachi Kings match on March 11th saw Azam express his dissatisfaction with the decision.
Previously, Azam and Mohammad Rizwan formed a formidable opening partnership for Pakistan. However, with the appointment of Mohammad Hafeez as the team director, the batting order underwent a shake-up. This saw Azam pushed down to the number three spot, with Rizwan opening alongside either Haseebullah Khan or Saim Ayub. Fakhar Zaman slotted in at number four.
Despite his reservations, Azam, ever the team player, chose to prioritize Pakistan’s success. “As an individual, I wasn’t satisfied with batting one-down,” he admitted at the conference, “but I did that for Pakistan.”
Interestingly, even in the altered batting order, Babar emerged as the team’s second-highest run scorer, accumulating 213 runs in his five innings. This statistic highlights his adaptability and consistent performance regardless of position.
It’s worth noting that Hafeez’s tenure as team director was short-lived, ending before his official term was complete. With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, the ideal batting order for Pakistan remains a topic of discussion.
Azam’s statement adds another layer to the debate, revealing his preference for opening the innings alongside Rizwan. Whether the new management will reinstate the successful opening partnership or opt for a different approach remains to be seen.
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