Ramiz Raja selects Pakistan's opening pair for T20 World Cup

29 April, 2024

Raja, who served as the Chairman PCB for two years, believes that Pakistan should revert their opening pair to skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan after youngster Saim Ayub failed to deliver in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

Saim, 21, played as an opener alongside Babar in the series but failed to perform in any of the matches. The left-hander, who is considered an aggressive batter, scored only 57 runs in four innings at a 14.25 average and 129.54 strike rate.

Babar and Rizwan played as openers for over two years before they were disbanded when Mohammad Hafeez was appointed as Team Director last year. Raja stated that it is time to bring back the two back as they are a “tried and tested” combination.

Raja said that while Saim’s talent cannot be doubted, he is lacking confidence and experience which is stopping him from playing big innings for his country.

"Our opening pair is unsettled, he [Saim] plays with his technique in the first two matches, then if he flops he tries to change his technique in the third match which makes things even tougher for him. He will get more confidence with more success he achieves. Babar was like that in the initial years, he had the talent but he lacked confidence and experience," Ramiz said on his YouTube channel.

He then added that the opening pair of Babar and Rizwan is “safe” and this is what they should go with in the World Cup.

"Pakistan should open with Babar and Rizwan. I feel that it is their best chance. My suggestion is that the Pakistan team should use the talent that they currently have in the best possible way. Put the combination that gives you partnership, and takes the match to an end," he added.

"Babar and Rizwan opening is a safe option it is a tried and tested combination. As of now, Pakistan lose a couple of wickets in the opening two-three overs which doesn't allow momentum to build."