The debate around the suitability of Pakistan’s two biggest modern-day batting stars, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, for the modern game has intensified in recent months and now, one of the most influential voices in cricket, Mickey Arthur, has given his verdict.
Unfortunately for the duo, the former head coach of the Pakistan cricket team has sided with the doubters, questioning Rizwan and Babar’s ability to keep up with T20 cricket.
Speaking on a local television show, Mickey Arthur described both players as “fine cricketers” but argued that the shortest format has evolved beyond their natural style.
“T20 cricket today demands a very different approach. The kind of game Babar and Rizwan want to play requires personnel who can fully execute their vision — and right now, Pakistan needs different tools,” he said.
Arthur, who guided Pakistan to the No.1 T20 ranking during his tenure with Sarfaraz Ahmed at the helm, praised the current team management for trying to implement their own blueprint. “Every coach has a plan, and Mike Hesson is clear about his,” he added.
The Kiwi, leading Pakistan’s white-ball teams, seems to agree with Mickey Arthur’s take when it comes to Babar and Rizwan. Both have been excluded from each of Hesson’s squads since he took over as the management looks at other top-order options like Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Sahibzada Farhan.
While Babar and Rizwan have enjoyed major success on the international T20 stage, their style of slow build-up play is not resonating with the modern administrators anymore. With more and more countries opting for hard-hitting opening combinations, their style is deemed surplus to the requirements for now.
The debate on this topic is likely to rage on for quite some time, but with Mickey Arthur making his feelings on the matter known, Babar and Rizwan may have to make some tough calls on their international T20 futures.
As the Asia Cup and the next T20 World Cup cycle approach, the absence of Babar and Rizwan may prove either a bold step towards reinvention or a gamble too costly at a time of crisis.
