PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam Responds To Mohammad Rizwan And Imam-ul-Haq's Comments Ahead Of The 5th ODI Match

Updated - 08 May 2023, 02:26 PM

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. PC:Twitter

Pakistan National Cricket Team captain Babar Azam has opened up about the team’s wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan’s desire to bat at no.4 for the team.

Pakistan won their recent five-match ODI series 4-1, winning all but the last match. The Asian powerhouse showed off both – their batting and bowling prowess throughout the series.

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Following the third match, where Rizwan batted at no.5, the star-keeper expressed his desire during the post-match conference to bat at n0.4. He did end up doing it in the last two ODIs, not making much of an impact at the spot.

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Babar Azam has now commented on how Mohammad Rizwan wants to bat at the no.4 position, and that he is unhappy anywhere below it.

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“Rizwan said it’s my wish to play at four but we will have to keep the team’s requirement in mind and that’s how we will communicate with the players. This is a team where no player says I want to play at this specific number,” he said.

Also read: PAK vs NZ: “PCB Should Have Announced Babar Azam…” – Shahid Afridi Makes A Big Statement On Pakistan Skipper

Babar Azam went on to say that –

“Everyone is playing for Pakistan and Rizwan has performed at both batting positions. Every player is striving for the team’s win and Rizwan is one of the best players…he has won us many games.”

Babar Azam comments on Imam-ul-Haq’s cryptic tweet after the latter was dropped from the side

Imam-ul Haq was unexpectedly dropped from the side after the third ODI against New Zealand. This was despite him scoring two 50s in the three matches he played in the series. Babar Azam has now reacted to a cryptic tweet by Imam.

Following getting dropped after scoring 90 in the third ODI, ul-Haq tweeted this out –

“‘Life is an unexpected journey so never expect anything from anyone.’ Be patient, Allah is watching!”

While the skipper denied that he had watched the tweet at all, he did iterate that there are no disgruntled players in the team.

“There are no disgruntled players in our team and the unity is good. We try to resolve our matters within ourselves and not take them out,” he said.

Also read: Pakistan Cricket Board To Reschedule Home Series Against West Indies To Make Room For Pakistan Super League 9

With Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup later this year, Babar Azam and the team management will be looking to get the perfect team combination, even though it results in in-form players going out of the Playing XI.

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Mohammad Rizwan PAK vs NZ 2023 Pakistan national cricket team Pakistan vs New Zealand 2023