'Sleeping Like A Baby' - Lockie Ferguson's Sarcastic Dig At Babar Azam & Fakhar Zaman
Babar Azam in action against NZ in the second T20I (x.com)
Lockie Ferguson is set to make his return to New Zealand’s T20I setup for their remaining three matches against Pakistan. After recovering from an Achilles injury, the speedster will be replacing Ben Sears in the side.
A day prior to the third match of the series, Ferguson expressed his anticipation of bowling to a quality Pakistan batting line-up, and claimed that the New Zealand team management have already set up plans to counter dangermen Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.
Lockie Ferguson wary of Babar Azam, Fakhar threat
While speaking with the reporters during a pre-match press conference, New Zealand fast bowler and comeback man Lockie Ferguson was asked if he was "losing any sleep" over the prospect of bowling to in-form Pakistan batters like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.
The speedster praised the two ‘Men in Green’ players, and claimed that Fakhar is likely to enjoy the shorter New Zealand boundaries, and expressed his anticipation of bowling to them in the third T20I of the series. He said:
“No, I am sleeping like a baby. But obviously they are skilled batters. Fakhar enjoys the shorter boundaries. Tomorrow is another opportunity against a quality batting line-up, so look forward to the challenge.”
Ferguson also expressed his caution and claimed that the New Zealand team management have come up with specific plans for the two elite Pakistani batters. He added:
“Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman are good players. We have got our plans for them. I think the boys have bowled really well against them. Those guys have great swing pass and can get away with it on short boundaries, but they start on zero tomorrow just like us.”
While Fakhar Zaman failed to get going in the series opener at Auckland, the dashing left-hander bludgeoned a sizzling 50 at Hamilton from just 25 deliveries.
Senior man and former captain Babar Azam also listed dazzling 50-plus scores in both games, however, he failed to take his side past the finishing line in tough run-chases.
Trailing 0-2 in the five-match series, Pakistan will now face hosts New Zealand in the third game on January 17 at Dunedin’s University of Otago Oval.