by: TN Media News Pakistan:
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is contemplating a shift in the team’s batting order for the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand, aiming to provide opportunities for emerging players, as per sources informed Geo News on Thursday.
According to insiders, the team management and selectors are inclined to include Saim Ayub as an opener, potentially partnering either with Babar Azam or Mohammad Rizwan. If Babar takes the opening position, Rizwan is expected to bat one down; however, if Rizwan opens, Babar is likely to play at number three.
There is also a consensus to rest the star duo for a couple of matches during the series. Suggestions include having Fakhar Zaman at number four, followed by Iftikhar Ahmed and Azam Khan. Rizwan is set for fielding duties, while Azam Khan will handle the wicket-keeping responsibilities.
While the Babar-Rizwan opening pair has been successful for Pakistan, the PCB is considering introducing new talent, given concerns about maintaining the same order. The squad for the New Zealand series, led by new captain Shaheen Afridi, features several new players, including Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub, Haseebullah Khan, and Sahibzada Farhan.
The squad also includes power-hitter Azam Khan, along with established players like Fakhar Zaman, Babar, and Rizwan. With an eye on the T20 World Cup scheduled for June next year, teams are gearing up for the ICC tournament to be held in West Indies and the United States.
