Shoaib Malik Urges Pakistan To Optimize Batting Order Before T20 World Cup

Former captain Shoaib Malik has advised Pakistan to adjust their batting order for the upcoming matches against England, ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled for June.

Pakistan faced a 23-run defeat to England in the second T20I at Edgbaston Cricket Stadium in Birmingham on Saturday, May 25. The visitors, who announced their squad for the tournament on Friday, May 24, failed to chase down a target of 184.

England's innings was bolstered by skipper Jos Buttler's 84 off 51 balls, setting a total of 183. Pakistan lost openers Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub early, but Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman kept the chase alive with a 50-run partnership.

Babar was dismissed in the ninth over, while Fakhar remained at one end as Shadab Khan and Azam Khan fell quickly. Fakhar was eventually dismissed in the 13th over.

Iftikhar Ahmed and Imad Wasim kept Pakistan within reach of the target, but both were dismissed in quick succession, leaving the team at 147/8 in 17.3 overs. With 36 needed off 17 balls, England secured the win.

Fakhar was Pakistan's top scorer with 45 off 21 balls. Malik suggested that Pakistan could have achieved the target with a better batting order, sharing his advice on social media after the match.

Following Pakistan's failure to chase down the target, Malik recommended using a batting order suited for international cricket rather than one used in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

"This is not PSL; this is international cricket just before T20 World Cup. IMO, the batting order should be...Fakhar, Rizwan, Babar, Azam, Iftikhar, Imad, Shadab," Malik posted on X, suggesting Fakhar should open alongside Rizwan.

Malik also emphasized that Babar should allow batters like Iftikhar and Azam Khan more time in the middle, as expecting them to score quickly with limited time is unfair.

"Captain needs to utilise the options on bench wisely. Moving forward, the captain should give time & enough overs to Azam & Iftikhar to settle first; expecting them to score 12-14 right away is unfair. All the best for remaining matches!!!," Malik added.

- This is not PSL; this is international cricket just before T20 World Cup. IMO, the batting order should be...

Fakhar
Rizwan
Babar
Azam
Iftikhar
Imad
Shadab

Captain needs to utilise the options on bench wisely. Moving forward, the captain should give time & enough…

Shoaib Malik ???????? (@realshoaibmalik)May 25, 2024

If Pakistan adopts this batting order, they will need to drop opener Saim Ayub to accommodate Fakhar as an opener. This change could also allow them to play another bowler or use Usman Khan in the middle order. However, it is unlikely any changes will occur in the upcoming matches.

Babar and his team will next face England in Cardiff on Tuesday, May 28, and London on Thursday, May 30. They will then head straight into the T20 World Cup 2024 without any warm-up matches.