We Will Try Different Combinations Against The West Indies: Babar Azam

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has said the team management will try out new combinations during the upcoming four-match T20I series against the West Indies.

After having endured a disappointing tour of England where the Men in Green lost the ODI series 0-3 and T20I series 1-2, the Babar Azam-led team has come under severe criticism.

But, Babar believes that it is his duty to support his teammates in difficult times.

Pakistan Cricket Team will now lock horns with world champions West Indies in a four-match T20I rubber and, according to Azam, pacers could play a crucial role in Barbados where extra bounce could be a factor.

“A captain has to support his batsmen and bowlers during bad times. I am not under any pressure as captain. I am showing better performances. The players in the side have performed in domestic and PSL matches. Keeping the World Cup in mind we will be trying different combinations. We will also test our pinch-hitting. We have to trust our middle-order batsmen. We have a good track record against West Indies. We will try to play fearless cricket,” Babar Azam said as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

“We did not get a lot of chances to try different combinations during the series against England. We will now try different combinations. We will try to learn from our mistakes. We will give confidence to our players. We have also worked on our fielding. Hopefully, we will see better results,” he said.  

Babar Azam also opened up about Sharjeel’s inclusion in the T20I team, starting that since the southpaw is a top-order batter, he will only get a chance at that spot only which is currently occupied by Mohammad Rizwan and Babar himself.

He is also hoping for the pacers to make it count in favorable conditions in Barbados.

“Sharjeel Khan plays in the top order. If he gets a chance, it will be in the top order. We will have to boost the confidence of all our players including the middle order. The pitch in Barbados offers bounce. The pacers can perform better using this extra bounce. Keeping the spells bowled by Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah in England in mind, we hope the other bowlers will alsa o perform in similar fashion,” Babar Azam concluded.

The T20I series between Pakistan and hosts West Indies will kickstart in Barbados from July 28.