In order to overtake Pakistan’s middle-order problems and their opener’s slow strike rate as the most talked-about topic in the run-up to their T20 World Cup opener, Melbourne’s weather had to tangle itself in knots. At the pre-game news conference, a journalist informed Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam that previous players are claiming that all India needs to do to win on Sunday is to secure Babar and Mohammad Rizwan early.
In response, Babar grinned and fully endorsed the middle order. Look, sir, we’ll find out about this on the day of the game, Babar said. “You can’t be sure. It’s a T20. Anyone can surprise you on that day. Since the format is brief, any participant could end up beating you. We trust in the medium order. They have played well enough in challenging circumstances and have won us enough games. You ought to be ready for anything.”
Babar and Rizwan should also be questioned about whether their cautious beginnings forced the middle order to bat first and run the risk of losing their wickets early. Although it wasn’t mentioned, Pakistan can afford to produce average totals if they choose to bat first considering their attack.
According to the report of ESPNcricinfo “The way our fast bowlers are performing, Shaheen [Shah Afridi] has come back, [Mohammad] Wasim, and especially the way Haris [Rauf] has improved his bowling and grown his game, our confidence in our bowling unit is quite high,” Babar said. “So, on the day, we will try to execute our plans.”
Shan Masood, who sustained a head injury two days prior to the match, has healed, according to Babar. Fakhar Zaman, though, is still dealing with a knee problem and won’t be ready for selection for another game or two.
Shan Masood has recovered, according to Babar. “All test results are favourable. The next day is ready for him. We have not yet seen the pitch. We have an XI in mind, but we won’t be certain of it until we see the wicket. Fakhar hasn’t totally healed. He’ll need one or two bouts to finish.”
Pakistan’s current deployment of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz as affordable power hitters against acceptable match-ups has given them a slight buffer with their middle order. For us, a major component is how Shadab and Nawaz contributed earlier in the chain of command, Babar said. “It allows us to think more freely. Additionally, although the grounds are larger here, fewer prominent names hang around here.”