Misbah ul Haq believed that the team will gain from a right- and left-hand combination. That being stated, Saim Ayub, a leftist, need either Babar or Rizwan to give way. Gary Kirsten, the new coach, is pushing Ayub for the starting position. Ayub can charge off the ball and go to put pressure on the opposition, according to Misbah’s assertion.
From the time the newly appointed management split apart the legendary team of Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan, Pakistan has struggled to find a consistent opening combination for the Twenty20 Internationals. Rizwan had been spared, and Babar was dropped to the number three position. The decision did not work out, and the regular duo returned after management changed. With the T20 World Cup 2024 rapidly approaching, former Pakistan captain Misbah Ul Haq has shared his thoughts on the perfect beginning lineup.
The simplest approach to accomplish it, in my opinion, is to see if they can obtain a right-left combo. That is the perfect situation. Although Gary Kirsten has been attempting to play Saim Ayub in that capacity, he is currently falling short. However, Misbah observed that Saim Ayub and either Babar or Rizwan represent two distinct player types in this combination. She made this observation privately in a Star Sports Press Room.
“They can work well together; he’s a player who can attack the bowling and put pressure on the opposing bowling lineup from the first ball.” However, Babar and Rizwan play more traditional cricket and consistently rotate the strike to have an effect. Thus, in my opinion, this is the best case scenario. However, it will be crucial going into the England series, he continued.
Saim Ayub’s performance is inconsistent: Misbah ul Haq
The 49-year-old continued by saying that Ayub has not been consistent and is not at his best. He hoped that the upcoming England series would allow him to fully assess the batter. Additionally, he stated that the Babar-Rizwan combination will do well because of the spin-friendly American pitches, but he still believes in the left and right combination.
Also Read: Misbah-ul-Haq Praises Virat Kohli’s Match-Winning Strike Rates
“He’s not playing consistently, and in America, the bowling conditions are such that Pakistan, with their right-left combination, can have an advantage if you have an extra spinner who bowls a carom ball or a seam-up delivery in between, but that will depend on how they perform in the next series.” The Babar-Rizwan duo, who have excelled in the past, is our other option. Therefore, even if you choose that path, it’s a wise choice. However, in my opinion, the players’ diverse personalities and the right-left split might provide you with more, Misbah said.
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