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How did Babar Azam react to news of being demoted in T20I batting order?

Babar will not open with Rizwan in the New Zealand series

By Web Desk

January 09, 2024

Pakistan are gearing up to take on New Zealand in the five-match T20I series, starting from January 12 in Auckland.

Meanwhile, the team management led by Team Director Mohammad Hafeez has devised a new strategy by splitting the record-breaking opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

As per the local media, this shift was conceived during the Test tour of Australia. Initially planning to enlist Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman as the opening duo, the management revised their strategy, opting for vice-captain Rizwan alongside Saim at the top of the order.

In this reformed lineup, former skipper Babar Azam is slated to bat at number three, with Fakhar Zaman earmarked for the number four spot.

Despite this reshuffle, the 29-year-old Babar Azam has not lodged any protest or voiced disagreement over this change.

Earlier today, Pakistan's complete squad trained for the first time. Players, who were involved in the Test series against Australia, reached Auckland from Sydney yesterday.

It must be noted that Pakistan recently suffered a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Australia in a Test series down under.

Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (vc/wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir and Zaman Khan