Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan accused by teammate of deliberately taking Pakistan to losing positions

Pakistan’s middle-order woes have long been a topic of heated discussion, but veteran cricketer Sohaib Maqsood has just exposed the real reason behind the struggles after the Men in Green suffered a narrow defeat of 11 runs in the first T20I match against South Africa.

The Men in Green's middle and lower-middle order again faltered, with Tayyab Tahir scoring only 18 runs while the rest of the players could not even face 10 balls, and they have to face a setback in the ongoing three-match T20I series opener against South Africa in Kingsmead.

Sohaib Maqsood accuses Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan

Mohammad Rizwan, the Men in Green captain, and wicketkeeper, was the lone warrior with a stunning knock of 74 runs off 62 balls, while the number three batter, Saim Ayub, made quick 31 runs off 15 balls, but others couldn’t make any contribution, and they fell 11 runs short of the target in the first T20I.

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Ahead of the second T20I match between South Africa and the Men in Green on Friday, December 13, at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion, Sohaib Maqsood said that the real problem isn’t the players themselves but the outdated approach to T20 cricket.

Maqsood boldly claimed that if Men in Green changes its approach to the game, similar to top-performing nations, the middle order will improve dramatically. He predicted that within 12 to 16 months, Pakistan could have a reliable middle-order lineup if they change their approach in T20Is.

The problem is the roles given to Pakistan middle-order batsmen: Sohaib Maqsood

Sohaib Maqsood also pointed out that the biggest challenge is the roles given to the Pakistani players in the line-up, and that often leads to them being unfairly labeled as failures by the fans and selectors. So, he strongly feels the solution lies in the shake-up of the Men in Green T20 strategy.

Maqsood posted on X: “We have been listening for years. Pakistan's middle order is fazool. The same middle order is One day and TEST and the problem is your method of playing T20 cricket, not the players. I bet you change the way to play T20 cricket like top-playing countries; your middle order will start to develop, and eventually, in 12 to 16 months, you will have proper middle-order performers. The problem is the roles given to middle-order batsmen, which make them called tullers by the fans.”

We have been listening for years Pakistan ka middle order fazool hai same Middle order ONEday aur TEST main tu theek hai actually problem is your mathod of playing T20 cricket not the players I Bet you change the way to Play T20 cricket like top playing countries your Middle… https://t.co/rkLC7ffdaC

— Sohaib Maqsood (@sohaibcricketer) December 12, 2024

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam should not play together in T20Is: Maqsood

However, Maqsood expressed his respect for Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, calling them the best PAK players, but he believes that as long as both play together in the T20I team, THE Men in Green middle order will struggle to form.

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He mentioned that over the past two years, the 4th and 5th batters have averaged just 10 balls each, so they should not be blamed for the losses. Maqsood said in the video, “Look, Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam are the best Pakistani players. I have no doubt about it and I have a huge respect for both of them. But, as long as Babar and Rizwan play together in the T20I team, Pakistan's middle order will never be formed.

The reason for that is, that when both of them are in form, most of the overs, 13-14 overs, both of them play. Look at the record. The average ball faced by Pakistan's 4th and 5th numbers for 2 years was 10 balls and The players who get 9-10 balls, it is their responsibility to win the match, or the players who get 40-50 balls.”