Shoaib Malik

Babar Azam: ‘Babar Azam should bat at…’: Shoaib Malik wants change in Pakistan skipper’s batting order | Cricket News

Danijones5 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: After Pakistan’s seven-wicket loss to England in the fourth T20I at Kennington Oval, former cricketer Shoaib Malik suggested that skipper Babar Azam should bat at number three. Babar scored 36 runs off 22 balls with a strike rate of 163.64, hitting 5 fours and 1 six. Malik, on his official X account, acknowledged the tough series and emphasized the need for a batsman who can rotate the strike in the middle overs, suggesting Babar as the best option.He also encouraged Azam Khan and Shadab Khan to maintain their confidence as vital players for the team.Malik wrote: “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. 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 your morale high, we’ve got this.” In the match, England chose to field first. Babar Azam (36 off 22) and Mohammed Rizwan (23 off 16) started strong, but Adil Rashid (2/27) and Moeen Ali (1/23) applied pressure, reducing Pakistan to 86/5. Contributions from Usman Khan (38 off 21) and Iftikhar Ahmed (21 off 18) helped Pakistan reach 157/10 in 19.5 overs. England’s bowlers Mark Wood (2/35) and Liam Livingstone (2/17) also performed well.In the chase, England’s openers Phil Salt (45 off 24) and Jos Buttler (39 off 24) dominated, making 78 runs in the powerplay. Despite a brief fightback by Haris Rauf (3/38), Jonny Bairstow (28* off 16) and Harry Brook (17* off 14) finished the match in 15.3 overs, securing a seven-wicket win for England.(Inputs from ANI)

Babar Azam should bat at number 3: Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

London [UK], : After Pakistan’s disappointing seven-wicket loss against England in the fourth T20I match at the Kennington Oval, former cricketer Shoaib Malik said the ‘Men in Green’ skipper Babar Azam should bat at number three. Babar Azam should bat at number 3: Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik Babar scored 36 runs from 22 balls at a strike rate of 163.64 in the fourth T20I match. He slammed 5 fours and 1 six during his time on the crease. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! Malik took to his official X account and said that it was a tough series. He added Pakistan need someone in the batting order who can rotate the strike in the middle overs of a game. He also asked Azam Khan and Shadab Khan not to lose confidence since they play a vital role in the ‘Men in Green’ squad. “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 alot better. 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,” Malik wrote on X. Recapping the match, the hosts won the toss and decided to field first. The England bowlers were subjected to some fine hitting by the opening pair of skipper Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan , but the spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali turned the pressure back on Pakistan batters, sinking them to 86/5. It was only a brief fightback by Usman Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed , that took Pakistan to 157/10 in 19.5 overs. Besides Rashid and Moeen, Mark Wood and Liam Livingstone also did fine with the ball. In the run-chase of 158 runs, England blew the visitors away with a powerplay assault by Phil Salt and skipper Jos Buttler , who made 78 runs in the powerplay. A brief comeback spell from pacer Haris Rauf delayed the victory for England. But Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook , finished off the proceedings in 15.3 overs, with seven wickets left. Rashid got the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his spell. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Shoaib Malik suggests Babar Azam to bat at number three after series loss vs England

Danijones5 months ago05 mins

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. – 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 alot better.Azam & Shadab, you two areâæ — Shoaib Malik ðµð° (@realshoaibmalik) May 30, 2024 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. Published By: Rishabh Beniwal Published On: May 31, 2024