#NZvsPAK: Why Babar Azam Should Have Been Rested

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Afshar Iqbal
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Pakistan's Babar Azam walks from the field after being caught with LBW as New Zealand players celebrate during the first one day international cricket match between New Zealand and Pakistan at Basin Reserve in Wellington on January 6, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Marty MELVILLE
First #NZvsPAK T20 match is scheduled to be played in Auckland tomorrow and so, here is a look at why Babar Azam who is out of form should have been rested for the five-match series in New Zealand.

Read: #PAKvsNZ: A Look At Pakistan’s Likely Playing XI In Auckland

The Most Difficult Format To Regain Form

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Image Source: ASIF HASSAN / AFP

Babar has been out of form for a while now. T20 cricket provides batters with very little time to settle down and so, it can be termed as the most difficult format to regain form. Therefore, it would have made sense to allow the premier batter some time to rest and remove whatever technical issues he is having at the moment. A bad series in New Zealand can certainly put the former skipper under massive pressure and that is something you don’t want in a world cup year.

Read: #AusvsPak: 3 Pakistani Cricketers Who Are In Trouble

#NZvsPAK: Why Experiment With Batting Number When Babar Azam Is Still Playing?

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Image Source: PHILL MAGAKOE/AFP via Getty Images

Rizwan and Babar have been Pakistan’s first choice openers in the T20 format for a considerable period of time now. Both of them have delivered more often than not. However, their strike-rates during the power play have been a source of concern. Therefore, Siam Ayub is now expected to replace Babar who as per media reports has agreed to bat at the one down position. Still, it would have been better to experiment with Babar not part of the squad at all, because a demotion in batting order is the last thing you want for the confidence of a person who is already struggling for form.

Read: #PAKvsAUS: 3 Cricketers Who Have Done Well

Needs A Break From The Game

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Image Source: www.thestatesman.com/ICC

Apparently, Babar seems in need of a break from the game. The pressure of leading Pakistan for a reasonable amount of time seems to have disturbed him mentally. Hence, rather than putting him under further pressure against a formidable New Zealand side, it would have been better to allow him some quality time to re-energize.

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