Former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja picked Pakistan’s openers for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 which shall be performed within the West Indies and the US from June 1.
Raja, who served because the Chairman PCB for 2 years, believes that Pakistan ought to revert their opening pair to skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan after teen Saim Ayub did not ship within the five-match T20I sequence towards New Zealand.
Saim, 21, performed as an opener alongside Babar within the sequence however did not carry out in any of the matches. The left-hander, who is taken into account an aggressive batter, scored solely 57 runs in 4 innings at a 14.25 common and 129.54 strike price.
Babar and Rizwan performed as openers for over two years earlier than they have been disbanded when Mohammad Hafeez was appointed as Staff Director final yr. Raja acknowledged that it’s time to carry again the 2 again as they’re a “tried and examined” mixture.
Raja mentioned that whereas Saim’s expertise can’t be doubted, he’s missing confidence and expertise which is stopping him from enjoying massive innings for his nation.
“Our opening pair is unsettled, he [Saim] performs together with his approach within the first two matches, then if he flops he tries to alter his approach within the third match which makes issues even harder for him. He’ll get extra confidence with extra success he achieves. Babar was like that within the preliminary years, he had the expertise however he lacked confidence and expertise,” Ramiz mentioned on his YouTube channel.
He then added that the opening pair of Babar and Rizwan is “secure” and that is what they need to go together with within the World Cup.
“Pakistan ought to open with Babar and Rizwan. I really feel that it’s their greatest likelihood. My suggestion is that the Pakistan staff ought to use the expertise that they presently have in the very best manner. Put the mix that offers you partnership, and takes the match to an finish,” he added.
“Babar and Rizwan opening is a secure choice it’s a tried and examined mixture. As of now, Pakistan lose a few wickets within the opening two-three overs which does not permit momentum to construct.”
