Babar Azam may be given rest under rotation policy: Azhar Mahmood

Pakistan cricket team’s head coach Azhar Mahmood has said Pakistan team’s top order is very strong, while with the inclusion of Imad Wasim and Muhammad Amir, the team has become stable, reported 24NewsHD TV channel Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, Mahmood said that though New Zealand were consisting new faces, their team has vast experience of domestic cricket. He lauded that talent in New Zealand was highlighted very quickly.

He said no team was considered weak in the T20 format and the New Zealand team cannot be rated as B or C.

He said Pakistan played the T20 final and semifinal but it was a fact that Pakistan did not win any trophy after 2017.

He said there remained capacity for improvement while the team was working on bringing improvement in batting and bowling order.

He said Babar Azam may be given rest against New Zealand but at the same time, any cricketer can be given rest.

He said a rotation policy will be followed in playing eleven. In case of rain, they can go with two spinners.

He said the top teams' batting score in the first innings is 170 but Pakistan’s first innings score is 160.

Azhar lauded Amir Jamal’s performance and termed him a genuine all-rounder.

He said Pakistan have to promote new players.

He said they have not decided yet who be opening, whether it be Fakher Zaman, Baber Azam, Rizwan or Saim Ayub, it will be decided on April 18.

Azhar claimed Shaheen Afridi was fit as he was not facing any injury.

He said he also heard that Shaheen Afridi will not play the first match but it has not been decided yet.

Azhar also said the cricket team's fitness and performance during the Kakul training session remained satisfactory.

Reporter: Rozina Ali