Former Pakistan captain urges Babar, Rizwan to return to middle order in T20Is

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has weighed in on the ongoing debate about Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s roles in the national T20I team, suggesting the duo is being misused as openers.

Speaking on the show Josh Jaga Dey, Younis defended the under-fire pair, recommending that both Babar and Rizwan should return to the middle order — a position he believes suits their natural style of play.

“Babar and Rizwan should definitely be part of the T20I team, but not at the top. Their ideal position is in the middle order, where they can build the innings and provide stability,” Younis said.

While Babar and Rizwan were once considered the backbone of Pakistan’s white-ball side, their slower strike rates at the top of the order have recently come under scrutiny — especially in a modern T20 era that demands explosive starts.

Despite the criticism, the pair continues to boast impressive numbers. They hold the record for the most partnership runs in T20 Internationals, scoring a combined 3,300 runs in 73 matches between 2019 and 2024. Their partnership includes 15 half-century stands and 10 century partnerships, with a highest unbeaten stand of 203 runs.

Individually, Babar is the second-highest run-scorer in T20I history, with 4,223 runs in 128 matches at an average of 39.83 and a strike rate of 129.22. He has 36 fifties and 3 centuries to his name.

Meanwhile, Rizwan — Pakistan’s current ODI captain — has scored 3,414 runs in 106 T20Is, averaging 47.41 with a strike rate of 125.37. His record includes 30 half-centuries and one hundred.

Younis believes that repositioning the duo could bring balance to Pakistan’s T20I setup and help maximize their strengths moving forward.