Babar, Rizwan should open in T20Is: Fakhar content with middle-order role

Pakistan cricketer, Fakhar Zaman, expressed his contentment with his current role in the middle-order of the team, stating that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan should open for the T20Is. 

While speaking during press conference, Fakhar stated that he has previously played as an opener throughout his career and believes that the team's current situation requires a different approach.

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Speaking candidly, the left-hand batsman questioned whether Babar and Rizwan would be able to hit more against spinners than he could. He stated that he believes he can hit big more often than them, making him a valuable asset to the team's batting lineup. 

"I have played as an opener throughout my career but if you look at the team's situation - I don't speak diplomatically - do you think Babar and Rizwan can hit more against spinners or I can? I think I can hit big more often than them so we need a left-hander in a team combination, in-fact we need two left-handers. I don't think anybody else should open given how Babar and Rizwan have been batting," he said. 

The  33-year-old's comments come as the Pakistan management tries to shuffle the batting order and experiment with new strategies. 

"Cricket is a game in which there is always a need for improvement. Our management is trying to shuffle the batting order to try some new things. The wicket was good but it wasn't like where you even half-hit the ball and you get the desired result. It wasn't that easy today," he concluded.

Yesterday, Fakhar Zaman’s century helped Pakistan beat New Zealand by five wickets in the first ODI at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. The second ODI of the five-match series will be played at the same venue on 29 April.

Scores in brief:

Pakistan beat New Zealand by five wickets

New Zealand 288-7, 50 overs (Daryl Mitchell 113, Will Young 86; Naseem Shah 2-29, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-63, Haris Rauf 2-65)

Pakistan 291-5, 48.3 overs (Fakhar Zaman 117, Imam-ul-Haq 60, Babar Azam 49, Mohammad Rizwan 42 not out; Adam Milne 2-60)

Player of the match – Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)