KARACHI: Pakistan’s head coach, Azhar Mahmood has said that there are no guarantees that skipper Babar Azam will play all five games of the upcoming Twenty20l series against New Zealand. Azhar emphasized the Pakistan Cricket Board’s strategy of player rotation to manage workload and nurture emerging talent ahead of the T20 World Cup. With matches scheduled against New Zealand, Ireland, and England, Azhar aims to solidify Pakistan’s playing XI and explore various combinations.
The selection committee’s rotation policy offers flexibility in utilizing players’ strengths, even in the opening slots currently held by Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Azhar Mehmood expressed satisfaction with the squad’s balance, particularly with the return of experienced players like Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim.
Despite New Zealand missing key players due to IPL commitments, both Azhar and New Zealand batter Mark Chapman highlighted the competitive nature of the upcoming series, providing an opportunity for fringe players to shine and stake their claim for the T20 World Cup squad.
