{"id":78974,"date":"2024-04-16T20:27:04","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T20:27:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/babar-azam-could-be-rested-too-says-azhar-mahmood\/"},"modified":"2024-04-16T20:27:04","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T20:27:04","slug":"babar-azam-could-be-rested-too-says-azhar-mahmood","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/babar-azam-could-be-rested-too-says-azhar-mahmood\/","title":{"rendered":"Babar Azam could be rested too, says Azhar Mahmood"},"content":{"rendered":"
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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan cricket team\u2019s head coach Azhar Mahmood said that captain Babar Azam could also be rested as part of the rotation policy and to refine the team\u2019s combination.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Addressing a presser in Rawalpindi, Azhar Mahmood said that any player including Babar Azam could be replaced during the five-match series, depending on the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs per policy, we will try to select the best 11 best available players for every match while keeping the conditions in mind,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

To a question, Azhar Mahmood said the team\u2019s management has not decided on the opening pair yet. \u201cWe have not finalised who would be opening the inning. It (opening pair) could be Babar-Saim, Saim-Rizwan and even Fakhar Zaman can also open the inning,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The head coach also expressed confidence in his team\u2019s capabilities, emphasising the squad\u2019s robust composition and strategic preparations for their upcoming home series against New Zealand.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe composition of our team, with its blend of experienced batters, agile fast bowlers, and versatile all-rounders, fills me with great confidence,\u201d the coach said.<\/p>\n

Azhar Mahmood was of the view that the return of experienced players like all-rounder Imad Wasim and fast bowler Mohammad Amir boosted the team . \u201cTheir comeback will undoubtedly bolster our team\u2019s strength,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n

To a question, he regarded the New Zealand team players as future stars while dismissing the impression of \u201cB Team\u201d sent to play against Pakistan.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe date indicates that they have a great deal of domestic cricket experience. They are their finest player, and no team is weak in T20s. This is the New Zealand team, and they are playing Pakistan,\u201d Azhar Mahmood added.<\/p>\n

The head coach said that fast bowler Shaheen Afridi is completely fit and available for the series starting from April 18.<\/p>\n

Pakistan squad<\/strong><\/p>\n

Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong>\u00a0Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.<\/p>\n

New Zealand squad<\/strong><\/p>\n

Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O\u2019Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi, Tom Blundell, Zak Foulkes.<\/p>\n

Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series schedule<\/strong><\/p>\n

April 18 \u2014 1st T20I, Rawalpindi<\/p>\n

April 20 \u2014 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi<\/p>\n

April 21 \u2014 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi<\/p>\n

April 25 \u2014 4th T20I, Lahore<\/p>\n

April 27 \u2014 5th T20I, Lahore<\/p>\n<\/div>\n