Pakistan will face the Black Caps in a five-match T20I series from January 12.
Pakistan cricket team management is likely to try out different combinations in the top order in the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, starting on January 12 in Auckland.
After losing the captaincy of the Pakistan cricket team across the formats, Babar Azam is all set to be reportedly moved down in the batting order. And young Saim Ayub, who recently made his Test debut in Australia, is expected to open the innings for Pakistan.
As reported by the PTI, Pakistan’s new T20I captain Shaheen Afridi, and the team management are keen on experimenting with an opening combination in the T20I series against the Black Caps.
Saim Ayub is in line to replace Babar as vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan's opening partner in the T20I series. Babar has reportedly agreed to bat one down after discussions with the skipper, Shaheen, and team director, Mohammad Hafeez.
According to reports from Auckland, Rizwan, and Saim batted in the nets against the new ball bowlers, while Babar and Fakhar Zaman practiced against mainly spinners in the other nets.
The 21-year-old southpaw batter is known for his aggressive batting style, and the team management believes he, along with Rizwan, can provide the team with faster starts. Babar is expected to bat at number three, followed by Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, and Iftikhar Ahmed in the upcoming five-match T20I series in New Zealand.
(With PTI Inputs)