MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli's IPL teammates fail to perform in Duleep Trophy 2024, lose wicket to 20-year-old
'Nuksaan hua hai..': Mohammad Rizwan breaks silence on splitting from Babar Azam as Pakistan's opening pair
Mohammad Rizwan said that his split with Babar Azam as Pakistan's opener partner has cost Pakistan team dearly in the face of their back-to-back defeats in the ongoing T20I series vs New Zealand.
Pakistan's opening batter Mohammad Rizwan admitted that the recent change in team composition have negatively impacted their performance. Mohammad Rizwan's statement came after Pakistan's fourth consecutive T20I loss to New Zealand in Christchurch on Friday, January 19. A significant change in the team's recent restructuring was the split in Pakistan's highly successful opening duo, Rizwan and Babar Azam. This decision faced intense scrutiny within the cricket community.
Saim Ayub, who stepped in as Rizwan's new opening partner, has had disappointing performances at the top, with scores of 27, 1, 10, and 1. In defense of the team management's strategy, Rizwan explained that the team is experimenting with different line-ups in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, understanding that losses are part of the process.
Rizwan, on being asked about the split with Babar Azam after Pakistan's humiliating defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20I said,"Yes, you can say the split has hurt us (Nuksaan hua hai). The team management and the captain talked to us (me and Babar). Mohammad Hafeez also talked to us. Babar bhai has a big heart. We both agreed on the decision of splitting the opening pair and said there is no issue. The whole nation thought we had a good thing (partnership) going at the top of the batting order.”
"But the management is working on the best that can be achieved from this team. Hafeez and Shaheen never said they we won't ever partner up at the top in future. They are trying different combinations and looking for the best," Rizwan added.
Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja had earlier heavily criticised the decision to break up the effective opening partnership of Babar and Rizwan in the T20 format.
"So much pressure was created to break the opening pair of Babar and Rizwan. After breaking the opening partnership, which was evaluated based on the strike rate. When you bring in new players, they may perform well in leagues, but international cricket is a different beast where there is pressure, and the focus of the entire world is on you. You broke the opening pair that was famous worldwide," Raja had said.
Pakistan is currently in a state of lurch, trailing 0-4 in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The final match of the series will be played on January 21 in Christchurch.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Big resignations shake up Pakistan Cricket ahead of 4th T20I against New Zealand
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic's 25th Grand Slam quest continues, marches into 4th round after hammering 24-yr-old Argentine
'Our bowlers are...': Mohammad Rizwan blasts Pakistan's humiliating show in New Zealand after 4th T20I drubbing
Virat Kohli or Sachin Tendulkar? R Ashwin announces 'greatest batter to ever grace the game'
Popular Posts
SL vs NZ 1st Test: Tim Southee turns superman to take brilliant one-hand flying catch on Day 3 - WATCH
Vikram Rathour and Rahul Dravid reunion confirmed, Rajasthan Royals make another big announcement ahead of IPL 2025
WATCH: Chepauk crowd goes crazy as Virat Kohli waves hand towards fans during India vs Bangladesh 1st Test match
Sanju Samson smashes first-class century after 1740 days during India D vs India B Duleep Trophy 2024 clash
IND vs BAN: Ravichandran Ashwin's ton helps India to score 376 runs in first inning, Hasan Mahmud picks historic five wicket haul for Bangladesh
Leg-spinner ignored by BCCI for Bangladesh Test series picks up nine wickets in England
'People will be valued more when...’: Ex-Wicketkeeper commends Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin’s partnership during 1st Test match against Bangladesh
Babar Azam roars back to form with impressive ton in Champions Cup 2024, break Virat Kohli's record
'Said a Few Weeks Back': Ex-India cricketer urges Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to participate in Duleep Trophy amid struggle against Bangladesh