In the shortest format, Younis Khan underlined the value of adaptability, asking players to be ready to bat at any position and bowlers to be ready for high-pressure scenarios. “I think our top-order batters like Babar, Rizwan, Fakhar need to now start working on their strike rates and make better use of the power play,” Younis said.
Concerns have been raised regarding Pakistan’s batters, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, strike rates following their recent loss to Ireland in the opening Twenty20 International of the three-match series. Younis Khan and Rashid Latif, two former greats of Pakistan, have commented on the matter and discussed their own strategies as well as the general situation among the team.
Ireland’s convincing five-wicket victory against Pakistan in the first Twenty20 International has spurred discussion on the visiting team’s batting tactics. Even with Iftikhar Ahmed’s late burst and Azam’s half-century, Pakistan’s 182 was insufficient against the hosts, who were paced by Andy Balbirnie’s outstanding 77.
Azam, Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman have received advice from former Pakistan captain Younis Khan, who was instrumental in the team’s 2009 T20 World Cup victory, to adjust to the demands of contemporary T20 cricket. He discussed the necessity for veteran batters to increase their strikeout rates and make better use of powerplay opportunities.
Younis Khan stated at a ceremony in Karachi, “I think our top-order batters like Babar, Rizwan, and Fakhar need to now start working on their strike rates and make better use of the power play.”
I don’t believe Babar was supposed to be the white ball captain: Rashid Latif
Another former Pakistani cricket player, Rashid Latif, thinks that the team’s atmosphere has been thrown off by the frequent changes in captain. He raised doubts about the choice to dismiss Shaheen Shah Afridi from the T20I captaincy after just one series, speculating that it might have undermined the confidence of the current captains.
“I don’t think Babar should have expected the white ball captaincy again after the board removed Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain after just one series,” he stated on his website.
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Pakistan just secured a 2-2 tie in the Twenty20 International series against a depleted New Zealand side at home, so the loss to Ireland is a blow. The team will aim to bring stability back to the locker room with the hiring of Gary Kirsten as head coach. In addressing the concerns expressed by the past greats, Kirsten’s expertise dealing with sub-continental players during his time with the Indian side and in the Indian Premier League may prove invaluable.
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