Former captain, Rashid Latif, has said that Babar Azam’s injury could be a blessing in disguise for the Pakistan cricket team. Latif said that this will provide an opportunity for youngsters such as Haider Ali and Abdullah Shafique to perform and show their worth to the management.
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Babar Azam suffered a fractured thumb during a practice session in Queenstown on Sunday and has subsequently been ruled out of the T20I series against New Zealand. He has been advised by the medical team not to take part in any physical activity for at least 12 days. This has also raised some question marks over his involvement in the first Test match as well.
Latif said that rather than taking it as a setback, the team should be looking at it as an opportunity for other young players to perform and make a name for themselves.
“If Abdullah Shafique and Haider Ali open the innings in Babar’s absence, then they might avail this opportunity and Pakistan might get a new star,” Latif said.
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Latif added that Pakistan may miss a trick by playing either Sarfaraz Ahmed or Mohammad Rizwan as openers. He said that younger players should be given the chance at the top of the order, and if they are able to handle the pressure, they will eventually turn out to be great players.
Vice-captain, Shadab Khan, is also struggling with a groin injury and if he is not fit to take the field, then Latif sees all-rounder Imad Wasim as his natural replacement. Latif said that Imad has recently led Karachi Kings to their first-ever PSL title and should be employed as captain if Shadab is unfit.
