Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has suggested Babar Azam to bat at number three following the nation’s 0-2 series loss against England on Thursday, May 30 ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, during the fourth and final game of the series played at the Kennington Oval in London, Pakistan suffered a dramatic middle-order collapse as they failed to make the most of the good start by the opening pair of Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
After being put in to bat first by England, Babar and Rizwan added 59 runs for the first wicket off 36 balls. However, the middle order failed to build on the good beginning as the visitors lost a flurry of wickets in the middle overs to be left reeling at 86/5 after 10.2 overs. A crucial innings by Usman Khan of 38 (21) guided his team to a total of 157. However, it didn’t prove to be enough for England who won the match by seven wickets.
Following Pakistan’s loss, Shoaib Malik took to his X account and suggested captain Babar to bat at number three saying that the team needs his guidance in the middle overs.
“Tough series! Remember: we’ve been in tough spots before & came out stronger! IMO Babar should bat at no 03! We need someone in the middle overs to rotate strike, you are our best option, with your guidance our middle order will do a lot better,” wrote Shoaib on his X account.
Babar batted at number three in the second T20I of the series and scored 32 (26) with Saim Ayub opening the innings alongside Rizwan. In his career, the Pakistan skipper has batted on 28 occasions at the three spot scoring 1067 runs at an average of 46.39 and a strike rate of 129.64 with 11 fifties to his name.
Malik asks Shadab and Azam to not lose confidence
Meanwhile, Malik also backed youngster Azam Khan and all-rounder Shadab Khan calling them ‘vital’ for the team. He asked the duo not to lose their confidence and keep their morale high heading into the T20 World Cup 2024.
“Azam & Shadab, you two are vital for our team, don’t lose confidence, play with heart, you are match winners. Going into the World Cup, keep you morale high, We’ve got this!,” he added.
Following the series loss, Pakistan will be next seen taking on the US in their opening game of the T20 World Cup 2024 on June 6. The Babar Azam-led side will next take on arch-rivals India on June 9 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
