Pakistan cricket team selector and former fast bowler Aaqib Javed has explained the reason why star batsman Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan are not part of the T20 squad.
While answering reporters’ questions in Lahore at the announcement of the squad for the Asia Cup and the Tri-Nation Series, Aaqib Javed said that opportunities in the national team are given on the basis of performance. Consistency and players’ form are the criteria; the player who performs will be in the team. No player is being written off—anyone can return to the squad by performing well.
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He said that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were not part of the last three series, while in their place Saim, Fakhar, and Sahibzada Farhan are included in the top order and are opening. If Babar and Rizwan perform like other players, they will surely play T20s. There is no problem with them, but at the moment, we have good options.
Aaqib Javed further said that Saim, Fakhar, and Sahibzada Farhan were in the top order, and it is not correct to say that a player is overlooked just on the basis of two or three matches. We cannot say that Babar and Rizwan will never be considered again.
On this occasion, head coach Mike Hesson said that Babar Azam has been advised to improve his technique against spinners and he is working on it.
It is noteworthy that the Pakistan–Afghanistan–UAE Tri-Nation Series will be held in Sharjah from August 29 to September 7, while the Asia Cup will take place from September 9 to 28 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
