Pakistan's 1992 World Cup-winning team member Aaqib Javed has come up with a surprising idea to solve the team’s middle-order woes, as the Men in Green are gearing up for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.
Pakistan’s middle order was badly exposed during the Asia Cup 2022 and most recently in the 7-match T20I series against England at home, which is the main cause of concern for the side ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022, which is set to get underway in Australia from October 16.
Considering the fact that Pakistan doesn’t have a player of Virat Kohli’s calibre in the middle-order, Javed said that Pakistan captain Babar Azam should himself play at the no.4 spot in the T20 World Cup 2022.
He mentioned that if Pakistan openers Babar and Mohammad Rizwan fail to deliver, then the entire batting line-up flattens out, so the skipper should take the initiative to bat in the middle-order to provide stability while stressing they must play with the strong intent of winning matches in the global event.
Aaqib Javed said on Paktv’s YouTube Channel: “Pakistan doesn’t have Virat Kohli at No.4. Pakistan does not have anyone to play at that position. So, what’s the problem with experimentation? Pakistan is too dependent on the opening pair of Babar and Rizwan.
If they are dismissed, people leave the stadium. To address that, the team should bring in Babar at number 4, and then you will see that the team will get stability in the middle too. Then Asif Ali can come in at number 6, when there are 2-4 overs remaining, and play his game.”
Speaking on the bench strength of Pakistan’s fast bowling attack, the former pacer noted: “In absence of our three main fast bowlers, the remaining bowlers at Pakistan’s disposal do not have the caliber of controlling the match. You cannot depend on just a few players in T20 cricket.”
Javed signed off by saying, “When the England batters came to bat, they played fearlessly. The intent should be there. It is also about the mindset. Pakistan should come with the attitude that in one over they’ll be scoring an average of at least 9-10 runs.”
(With Indian Express Inputs)
