Former Pakistan captain and experienced all-rounder Shoaib Malik has proposed a strategic adjustment for current captain Babar Azam ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the US and the Caribbean, starting June 1. He urged Babar to let go. the batting order.
Pakistan’s recent loss in the T20I series to England has sparked discussions among pundits and cricketers about the recent fall of the Men in Green ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Pakistan had lost the first T20I match before winning the series Three-match T20I in Ireland.
But on their crucial tour of England, Babar and his Pakistan team were once again badly exposed, losing two matches that could only have been possible due to bad weather in the UK and losing the four-match T20I series to the hosts.
Pakistan’s middle-order woes raise tension ahead of ICC T20 World Cup 2024
Well, Babar had a decent outing in the T20I series, scoring 32 runs at No. 3 in the second game and 36 in the final T20I as an opener, both losing to England. Well, Pakistan’s problems in the middle order are well known to all, and many have been suggesting that Babar be moved to number three in the batting order to provide stability to the line-up.
Now, Shoaib Malik also backed the notions and said that Babar should consider batting at number three in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, especially given the Pakistan cricket team’s middle-order problems.
During the fourth and final match of the T20I series, Pakistan’s opening pair Babar and Mohammad Rizwan got off to a solid start, adding 59 runs in just 36 balls. But after his departure, the middle-order batsmen failed to capitalize on the good start, leading to a collapse as Pakistan lost several wickets in quick succession, leaving them struggling at 86/5 after 10.2 overs.
Despite the valiant effort of Usman Khan, who contributed a spirited 38 off 21 balls, Pakistan could only post 157 runs, and even they were bowled out without playing 20 overs against England. The England team then made a mockery of Pakistan by chasing the target in 16 overs, winning the game by 7 wickets to clinch the home series by a margin of 2-0 on 30 May.
Shoaib Malik wants Babar Azam to bat at No. 3 in T20 World Cup 2024
After Pakistan’s defeat, Malik took to his social media platform to share his views, suggesting that Babar at number three in the batting order could potentially strengthen Pakistan’s batting line-up and address their middle-order weaknesses. . He also expects Pakistan to bounce back strongly.
Shoaib Malik wrote on X: “Tough series! Remember: We’ve been in tough situations before and we came out stronger! In my opinion, Babar should bat at no. 3! We need someone in the middle to rotate the strike; “You are our best option and, with your guidance, our middle order will do much better.”
– Tough series! Remember: we’ve been in tough situations before and we came out stronger! In my opinion, Babar should bat at number 03! We need someone in the middle to rotate the attack, you are our best option, with your guidance our middle order will work much better. Azam and Shadab, you two are…
– Shoaib Malik 🇵🇰 (@realshoaibmalik) May 30, 2024
Notably, Pakistan will kick off their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against co-host United States on June 6 in Texas. Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad included Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah , Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed.