Sohaib Maqsood criticizes impact of Babar-Rizwan partnership on middle order

Pakistan batter Sohaib Maqsood has voiced concerns about the prolonged opening partnership of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in T20 internationals, suggesting it hampers the development of a strong middle order.  

In a recent statement, Maqsood acknowledged the brilliance of Babar and Rizwan as Pakistan’s premier players but pointed out the negative impact their extended stays at the crease have on middle-order batsmen. Reflecting on a conversation with teammate Hassan Ali from a few years ago, Maqsood explained his perspective.  

“As long as Babar and Rizwan keep opening together, Pakistan will struggle to build a good middle-order,” Maqsood remarked. He highlighted a concerning statistic showing that Pakistan's No. 4 and No. 5 batters typically face an average of just 10 balls per T20I innings.  

He emphasized the pressure this places on middle-order players, who are often criticized for not delivering in crunch situations despite having limited opportunities at the crease. “You blame the player facing 9-10 balls in total. Is it the responsibility of those players to win you games or of the players facing 50 balls each?” Maqsood questioned.  

The comments come amidst ongoing debates about the balance and strategy of Pakistan's T20I batting lineup. While Babar and Rizwan have often provided stability at the top, critics argue that their approach leaves little room for the middle-order batters to adapt and perform under pressure.