'Top-order Need to Start Working on Their Strike Rates': Ex-PAK Skipper Younis Khan Suggests to Make Better Use of Powerplay

Pakistan’s former captain Younis Khan, who led them to their only World T20 title in 2009, has advised Babar Azam and other seniors like Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman to be in sync with the requirements of modern cricket.

Speaking at a function in Karachi on Friday, Younis said that the players must be prepared to bat at any position in the T20 format. Similarly, the bowlers must be ready to bowl in a pressure situation.

“I think our top-order batters like Babar, Rizwan, Fakhar need to now start working on their strike rates and make better use of the power play,” Younis said.

Stay updated with the latest from IPL 2024, including top contenders for the IPL 2024 Orange Cap and IPL 2024 Purple Cap. Explore the complete IPL 2024 Schedule, IPL 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours and Most Fifties in IPL 2024

His former national team colleague Rashid Latif believes that the changes in captaincy have spoilt the environment in the Pakistan dressing room.

“I don’t think Babar should have expected the white ball captaincy again after the board removed Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain after just one series,” he said on his YouTube channel.

Rashid had also said that when Shaheen was made T20 captain last year, the fast bowler should not have taken the captaincy and should have supported Babar instead.

READ MORE: James Anderson Officially Announces Retirement From Test Cricket; Set to Play His Final International Game at Lords

Pakistan’s new head coach, Gary Kirsten, takes over the reign following a shock first-ever T20 International defeat to Ireland.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi is expected to meet with the players in Dublin and have a hard talk with some of the senior men.

The defeat to Ireland on Friday comes after Pakistan managed a 2-2 result in the recent T20I series at home against a depleted New Zealand outfit.

READ MORE: RCB vs DC: Axar Patel to Lead Delhi Capitals in Absence of Rishabh Pant in Bengaluru

Kirsten, who has guided the Indian team to the 2011 World Cup triumph, will have his task cut out as he looks to restore normalcy in the dressing room.

His experience of working with players from the sub-continent while with the Indian team and now in the Indian Premier League should help him.

Pakistan are yet to announce their 15-member T20 World Cup squad.