Pakistan batting coach Younis Khan has advised the limited-overs captain Babar Azam to “take the initiative” and “take his own decisions” ahead of the series-deciding third and final T20I against England on Tuesday (September 1) at the Old Trafford, Manchester.
Pakistan has had a forgettable tour of England so far as they have already lost the three-match Test series 0-1 and now they have only one more match left, on Tuesday to escape from the whitewash on the ongoing tour and level the T20I series against the hosts if rain doesn’t play spoilsport.
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After the first T20I abandoned due to the poor weather, Pakistan made a brilliant start in the second match, as Babar and Mohammad Hafeez's stellar knocks saw the tourists post 195 on the board, but their bowlers failed to defend a stiff total and England eventually won the game and took 1-0 lead in the T20I series.
However, Azam has done well as a batsman but failed to inspire his teammates on the field as a captain as he was looking clueless during the second T20I about the decision-making strategies on the field when his bowlers were being badly hit by the English batsman.
Following the defeat, Babar is yet again facing criticism and the legendary batsman advised the Pakistan star to boldly take the decisions since everyone learns from mistakes.
Younis said ahead of the final T20I in Manchester: “He (Babar) has been the T20 captain for a while. And the captain of the ODI team. It is difficult for a captain when he is receiving so much advice and also suggestions on the field as well. Whether the suggestions are coming from off the field or from inside the field, it’s meant for the betterment of the team.”
He signed off by saying, “The one simple advice I would give to Babar is that as a leader is to try and take your own decisions. Whenever I have a one-to-one session with him on leadership. What I suggest is that he should take initiative, make your own decisions and he takes it.
The suggestion I give is to take your own decisions, even if you make a mistake, you learn from your mistake. He should not be afraid of taking his decisions even if they are incorrect because you can always learn from those mistakes.”
(WITH CRICBUZZ INPUTS)
