Former Pakistan cricket captain Rashid Latif has urged current white-ball captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan to change their batting approach or face exclusion from the T20I squad.
In a recent discussion on his YouTube channel, Latif emphasized the need for the duo to adapt and evolve their approach to remain competitive in the shortest format of the game.
Latif pointed to the examples of Indian cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as models for transformation. “I would give examples of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to show how they changed themselves. Rohit has changed himself 190 degrees; change is possible because he has become a role model. His IPL strike rate used to be 130-140, but this year it went up to 160. He changed himself. Virat Kohli did the same thing. If these two batters can change, then anyone can,” Latif remarked.
The former captain highlighted Rohit’s significant improvement in his strike rate during the Indian Premier League (IPL), which surged from 130-140 to 160, as a testament to his adaptability. Similarly, Kohli’s evolution as a batter was cited as an inspiration for other cricketers.
Latif stated that he would give 5 matches to the pair to change their batting approach otherwise there should be no place for them in the T20I squad. He emphasized that modern cricket requires a modern approach.
The call for change is aimed at ensuring that key players like Babar and Rizwan can evolve their game which can help the Men in Green in the future.
Babar Azam’s men have been under scrutiny after their poor performance in T20 World Cup 2024 where they were knocked out in the group stage for the first time in history.