The Pakistan cricket team is home to another internal controversy. According to Pakistani media reports, it is known that all the developments in the team are due to the batting position of wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan in the team in the shortest format of the game.
According to reports, it is learned that the team management wants Mohammad Rizwan to bat at number 4 in the T20Is. However, captain Babar Azam is not very happy with the decision. The captain wants the keeper-batsman to bat at number 3 like he did in the last two T20Is against New Zealand.
In another twist, it is learned that Mohammad Rizwan is not happy with either the team management or captain Babar Azam. He is not happy with his batting position at either 3 or 4. Reports claimed that the keeper-batsman wants to open the innings, which he has done for most of his career.
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam formed one of the most consistent opening pairs of the Pakistan cricket team in T20Is. However, when Shaheen Afridi was named captain of the team, the management changed the starting pair as Babar Azam was demoted to 3 with Rizwan and Saim Ayub opening.
However, the team’s initial mix has undergone another change. After Babar Azam was reappointed captain of the team, the captain moved up the order and opened the innings in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand.
With Babar Azam moving up the order, Mohammad Rizwan was demoted to number 3. So far, the move has worked as the keeper-batsman played a magnificent innings of unbeaten 45 runs in the first game against New Zealand and led his team to home to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Mohammad Rizwan also looked to have a decent touch in the third T20I. He managed 22 runs before being retired. With Pakistan opting for keeper-batsman to bat at No. 3, it could well be an indication that they will follow the same batting order in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, which will be played in the US and the Caribbean in June. of this year.
Mohammad Rizwan likely to be ruled out of T20I series against New Zealand
Mohammad Rizwan, who retired injured in the third T20I, is likely to miss the remaining matches of the series. Head coach Azhar Mahmood revealed that the wicketkeeper-batsman had a problem and they do not want to risk him for the World Cup by pitting him against New Zealand. Speaking to reporters, he explained:
“If you had seen it, the boys really worked hard in the Kakul camp, body fatigue could also be there… Regarding Rizwan, he had a problem, and with the World Cup approaching, we have seen what kind of fighter he is. That’s why we didn’t want to aggravate his injury and lose him in the World Cup.
“It was the same with Irfan, we withdrew him not because he was suddenly unfit. We have also suffered a setback with Azam, so we hope he recovers and joins Pakistan for the World Cup.”
The fourth T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place on April 25. The Babar Azam-led team would be eager to make a comeback after suffering a terrible defeat in the third game.