“It can happen if Babar Azam shows big heart and leaves his comfort zone”- Mohammad Hafeez’s HUGE remark before IND vs PAK clash

“It can happen if Babar Azam shows big heart and leaves his comfort zone”- Mohammad Hafeez’s HUGE remark before IND vs PAK clash

Babar Azam and Mohammad Hafeez

Pakistan will clash against India in the second match of the Super 4 in Asia Cup 2022 on Sunday, September 4. Ahead of the blockbuster clash, former Pakistani skipper Mohammad Hafeez stated that Babar Azam should leave his position as an opener and let No. 3 batter Fakhar Zaman play as an opener along with Mohammad Rizwan.

In the previous encounter between the two teams, Azam’s team were sent back on 147 and Men in Blue chased the target with five wickets remaining. Azam didn’t score runs in both the match that Pakistan have played so far.

“This debate has been going on for some time. If we look at their success rate, I think we should stop discussing about this till the World Cup. Let them play. The only thing they need to improve is their strike rate and intent. Although I agree, Fakhar should open. But it can only happen if Babar shows big heart as a captain and leaves his comfort zone to play at no.3 and emerge as a leader. He should utilise the other player if he thinks he can play better,” Hafeez said during a discussion on PTV Sports.

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“The only thing they have to improve is their strike rate and intent”- Mohammad Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan

Mohammad Hafeez then further stated that although both Azam and Rizwan have been successful as openers, the only area that needs improvement is their strike rate and intent.

“There’s no harm to make this decision. But only Babar Azam can take this decision. You and I can’t do that. Having said that, I still feel he has been successful as an opener with Rizwan, the only thing they have to improve is their strike rate and intent,” the former Pakistan all-rounder further said.

Notably, Azam and Rizwan were the top run-getters in T20Is in 2021.

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