Will Babar Azam sit out New Zealand T20I series?

Pakistam team director Mohammad Hafeez has addressed the ongoing discussion surrounding the potential rest for Babar Azam during the upcoming T20I series in New Zealand.

Azam, who faced a challenging Test series in Australia scoring only 126 runs across six innings, has drawn suggestions from various ex-cricketers advocating for a break.

Speaking in the post-match presser, Hafeez emphasized the management's readiness to support Azam, whether it involves rest or assistance in refining his techniques.

"Babar Azam can be rested. Before giving rest to Babar, one has to think about what Babar himself wants," Hafeez said.

"Not necessarily to rest, [he] can talk about improving any technique," he further added.

Hafeez praised Azam's dedication and acknowledged his contributions in matches but highlighted the need for a significant innings to boost his confidence. Additionally, he stressed the importance of red-ball cricket in refining a player's skills across formats.

"A big innings will restore his confidence. Red ball cricket brings sophistication to the game. A red ball cricketer can play all formats," he concluded.