Aaqib wants Babar to bat in middle order as Pakistan facing crisis there

Former Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed has once again asked skipper Babar Azam to bat in the middle order in T20Is.

The Men in Green have been facing a crisis, particularly in the middle order since the Asia Cup and they opted to try out new things which include the promotion of all-rounder Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz up the order.

Aaqib believes Babar must bat at No.4 as it will give confidence to other batters. "A performing captain like Babar Azam should bat where Pakistan is currently facing a crisis and that is middle order," he said.

"The performance of Babar Azam in the middle order will also give confidence to others who'll bat along him," he added.

Former captain Mohammad Hafeez opined that Shadab and Nawaz batting up the order would not fix the issue and termed it as a short-term solution. Lahore Qalandars' head coach also voiced the same opinion.

"Sending Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz up the order is not the permanent solution for the middle order crisis of Pakistan," he added.

Meanwhile, Aaqib wants explosive opener Fakhar Zaman to be part of the 15-member squad of the world cup and open the innings.

"Fakhar Zaman should open with Mohammad Rizwan in T20 World Cup. PCB Selection Committee can replace Khushdil Shah or Haider Ali with Fakhar Zaman in fifteen member T20 WorldCup squad, Pakistan batting lineup looks fragile without him," he added.

Aaqib concluded by praising Pakistan pace battery. "No team in the T20 World Cup has a fast bowling lineup like Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Pakistan has the best fast-bowlers for the tournament," he added.