T20 WC 2022: PCB selector backs Babar, Rizwan to improve strike rate

Mohammad Rizwan (PC: Twitter)

PCB Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim has backed the skipper Babar Azam and keeper Mohammad Rizwan to refine their strike rate in the T20I World Cup 2022. 

Recently, Rizwan has been receiving backlash for his slow-paced innings in the Asia Cup 2022. In particular, the 30-year-old delivered a knock of 55 off 49 balls in the Finals, which could not help the team to clinch the title. 

Although Rizwan emerged as the team's top run-scorer with 281 runs, the cricket fraternity thinks keeper's knock cost the title for the Men in Green. 

On the other hand, Babar could contribute only 68 runs in six innings, which certainly rang the alarm bells for him ahead of the show-piece event. 

Following the T20 WC squad announcement on Thursday, Wasim was asked whether the team can see a fresh opening pair going ahead. In his response, the 45-year-old reckoned that there are no such plans and added that the duo have been terrific for Pakistan. 

Here is what Mohammad Wasim said: 

"Both of them have brought us enough success," said Wasim. "You are talking about breaking up the best opening pair in world cricket. They are our strongest point and the numbers show they have scored runs with great consistency. I understand reservations about their strike rate but you will see improvements in it."

Misfiring middle-order

According to the stats, the top three batters of Pakistan have faced three-fourths balls by the team since the T20I World Cup 2021. This can also be attributed to Pakistan's fragile middle-order in the absence of Shoaib Malik. 

In the Asia Cup, the key reason behind Pakistan's loss in their last two appearances was due to the middle-order batters Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Nawaz being unable to provide notable contributions.

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