Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has considered in on the ongoing discussion about Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwanโs roles in the national T20I team, telling the duet is being tainted as openers.
Speaking on the appearance Josh Jaga Dey, Younis encouraged the under-fire pair, acclaiming that both Babar and Rizwan should reappearance to the middle order a position he believes outfits their natural style of play.
โBabar and Rizwan should absolutely be part of the T20I team, but not at the top. Their perfect position is in the middle order, where they can size the innings and provide strength,โ Younis said.
While Babar and Rizwan were once measured the backbone of Pakistanโs white-ball side, their slower strike rates at the top of the order have newly come under inspection especially in a modern T20 period that strains volatile starts.
Despite the disapproval, the pair lasts to boast imposing numbers. They grip the record for the most partnership runs in T20 Internationals, recording a combined 3,300 runs in 73 matches between 2019 and 2024. Their partnership includes 15 half-century views and 10 century partnerships, with a highest undefeated stand of 203 runs.
Discretely, Babar is the second-highest run-scorer in T20I history, with 4,223 runs in 128 matches at an average of 39.83 and a strike rate of 129.22. He has 36 fifties and 3 centuries to his name.
Temporarily, Rizwan Pakistanโs current ODI captain ย has scored 3,414 runs in 106 T20Is, averaging 47.41 with a strike rate of 125.37. His record holds 30 half-centuries and one hundred.
Younis considers that moving the duo could bring balance to Pakistanโs T20I arrangement and help maximize their assets moving onward.
