Shoaib Malik Suggests Babar Azam Should Bat at Number Three in PAKvENG Series

Former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik has advised Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam to change his batting order in the ongoing PAKvENG series. Malik's suggestion comes after Pakistan's seven-wicket loss to England in the fourth T20I match at Kennington Oval, London.

Malik took to his official X account to share his views, stating, 'Tough series! Remember: we've been in tough spots before & came out stronger! IMO Babar should bat at no 03! We need someone in the middle overs to rotate strike, you are our best option, with your guidance our middle order will do a lot better.'

Malik believes that Babar Azam's presence in the middle order would help stabilize the innings and improve the team's performance. Babar Azam, who scored 36 runs from 22 balls at a strike rate of 163.64 in the fourth T20I match, is seen to be the best candidate to rotate the strike during the middle overs.

In the fourth T20I, England won the toss and decided to field first, restricting Pakistan to 157/10 in 19.5 overs. Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali were the standout bowlers for England, while Phil Salt and Jos Buttler led the charge in the run chase. Rashid was awarded the 'Player of the Match' for his impressive spell.

Malik also encouraged key players Azam Khan and Shadab Khan not to lose confidence, emphasizing their vital roles in the team. 'Azam & Shadab, you two are vital for our team, don't lose confidence, play with heart, you are match winners. Going into the World Cup, keep your morale high, We've got this!' Malik tweeted.

The suggestion to move Babar Azam to the number three position aims to address Pakistan's middle-order issues, which have been evident in recent matches. In the fourth T20I, Pakistan's middle-order collapsed after a strong start by openers Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, leaving the team at 86/5 after 10.2 overs.

Babar Azam has a solid record batting at number three, having scored 1,067 runs at an average of 46.39 and a strike rate of 129.64 in 28 innings. This includes 11 half-centuries, showcasing his ability to anchor the innings and guide the middle order.

Pakistan will soon head to the USA to play their first match of the T20 World Cup 2024 on June 6 in Dallas against the co-hosts. They will then face India on June 9, Canada on June 11, and Ireland on June 16. The team aims to address its current challenges and perform better in the upcoming tournament.

Shoaib Malik's advice comes at a pivotal time for the Pakistan cricket team as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. His suggestion to alter the batting order could be a strategic move to strengthen the team's middle-order performance and increase their chances of success in the tournament.

Key Takeaways

• Shoaib Malik advises Babar Azam to bat at number 3 to stabilize Pakistan's innings.
• Babar Azam's presence in middle order can improve team's performance, says Malik.
• Middle-order collapse cost Pakistan the 4th T20I match against England.
• Babar Azam has a solid record batting at number 3, with 11 half-centuries.
• Pakistan prepares for T20 World Cup 2024, with Shoaib Malik's advice coming at a crucial time.