Pakistan's vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan has expressed his reservations over the team management's decision to break up the formidable opening partnership with skipper Babar Azam.
After a hard-fought battle in the fourth Twenty20 International against New Zealand, where Pakistan posted a total of 158 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, Rizwan opened up about the consequences of separating him and Babar Azam at the top order.
Despite Rizwan's commendable innings, scoring 90 runs off 63 balls, the team faced a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of New Zealand, who clinched a 4-0 lead in the five-match series.
Rizwan, who played a crucial role in Pakistan's batting lineup, emphasised that the decision to shuffle the opening pair had not worked well and had proven detrimental to the team's performance.
"Has breaking the Babar-Rizwan opening pair hurt Pakistan?"
— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) January 19, 2024
Mohammad Rizwan responds to a question.#NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/PFysTJLbqS
The dynamic duo had managed a promising 51-run partnership in the match, with Babar Azam contributing 19 runs off 11 balls.
In the pursuit of 159 runs, skipper Shaheen Afridi showcased a brilliant performance by taking three quick wickets, putting New Zealand in a precarious position. However, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Philips turned the tables with remarkable unbeaten fifties, securing a partnership of 139 runs that led to a seven-wicket victory for the home team.
In a post-match revelation at Christchurch's Hagley Oval, Rizwan's call for a reunion with Babar Azam at the top order reflects the urgency for strategic adjustments in Pakistan's batting lineup as they strive to salvage pride in the final match of the series.
The management's response to these concerns remains to be seen as the team faces the challenge of avoiding a whitewash in the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand.
