Pakistan T20I captain Babar Azam has defended the selection of Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Bangladesh, saying the duo's experience will help the team and him in the shortest format of the game.

Malik and Hafeez recalled to the Pakistan squad for the first time since World Cup 2019 for the home T20Is against the Tigers at home and Azam feels the two’s presence would certainly help the Men in Green in the format especially after a 0-3 T20I drubbing at the hands of Sri Lanka last year.

Ahead of the first T20I in Lahore on Friday, Babar said: “I felt that we needed these two (Malik, Hafeez), seniors. They were part of the number one team last year.”

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The start batsman further added, “I gave my opinion to the selectors and they heard me. Their presence will help me and the team. I will learn from them on captaincy as well.”

Meanwhile, the 25-year-old insisted that Pakistan is not taking Bangladesh lightly as well as dismissed that the hosts are under no pressure against the Tigers because of their last thrashing at home.

Babar further added, “No there is no pressure for us because what is done is done but we will not try to repeat the same mistakes we did against the Lankans. Bangladesh has a good combination of youngsters and seniors and it will be a good competitive series. Their players have the advantage of having come here fresh out of the BPL (Bangladesh Premier League).”

The series opening T20I will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and it will be a big moment for the batsman to lead the country at a venue where 13 years back he served as a ball boy.

Babar signed off by saying, “It has been a long journey for me and I am very excited about captaining Pakistan for the first time at home and that too at the Gaddafi Stadium. No doubt it is a big moment for me because 13 years back I was a ball boy at this stadium.

(With PTI Inputs)