Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan’s batting coach, has ruled out replacing the opening combo of skipper Babar Azam and wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan prior to the T20 World Cup.
For the past two years, the duo has been competing at the highest level. There has been no talk of it, and with the World Cup approaching, nothing should change. Yousuf made the statement following Pakistan’s nine-wicket loss to New Zealand in a post-game press conference.
“Taking such a risk is perilous. Rizwan was awarded Player of the Match in the first game, although Babar later won the award “Yousuf stated
Rizwan and Babar have scored almost 2,000 runs together since they began opening the batting together.
Despite the fact that the opening duo is in terrific form, the Green Shirts’ middle order does not appear exceptional and has received harsh criticism after they lost a home series against England.
In light of the middle order’s shortcomings, calls to demote Babar or Rizwan have been raised. The coach stressed that this was not planned.
In view of the approaching World Cup, “the management considers that changes to the way the two are playing should not be made,” he added.
The first T20 World Cup match between the Babar Azam-led team and India is scheduled for October 23 at the venerable Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The national squad will first play exhibition games against Afghanistan and England at The Gabba in Brisbane.
