Rizwan To Demote Babar, Fakhar To Have New Partner In Champions Trophy Opener: Report

Babar to bat at 3 [Source: AP Photo]

The Champions Trophy is set to begin on Fenruary 19, Wednesday and the first game of the tournament will feature the hosts, Pakistan up against the in-form New Zealand team in a riveting battle. New Zealand recently defeated Pakistan twice in the tri-nation series, and will have the upper hand once again.

For Pakistan, the team lacks the cutting-edge and with just a day left for the Champions Trophy, the team still has plenty of problems to deal with. One of them is the opening combination, which didn't work in the tri-series matches.

Pakistan to unleash Usman Khan at the top

Pakistan management decided to try out Babar Azam at the opening slot, but the move failed to deliver as the new opening batter got starts, but failed to convert it into big scores. Now, with another game against New Zealand on the cards, there are reports coming that PCB are thinking of demoting Babar back to his favourite number 3 spot, and are planning on a new opening partner for Fakhar.

As per a report by Sohail Imran of Geo TV Network, Usman Khan, the forgotten batter is likely to be unleashed by the team against the Kiwis at the top. He is an aggressive batter and Pakistan want him to compliment Fakhar Zaman.

This would mean, Babar gets back to his usual number 3 spot where he feels comfortable in the ODI format. He has 19 hundreds in ODIs and all of them have come at number 3, and hence, the management are likely to send him back to his usual position.

Pakistan squad for Champions Trophy

Mohammad Rizwan (C), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (VC), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi

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