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Could the Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan opening partnership cost Pakistan at the T20 World Cup?

What a performance by these two, pure class. I hope this performance shuts up those who want other inferior players opening over them. They calculated that chase to perfection and should continue to thrive on these pitches.
 
Pakistan have consistently chased the scores, even big scores since babar and rizwan have started opening in t20s. Earlier no pak team was so consistent while chasing and they looked always in trouble even they were chasing 140s. They both are perfectly suited for these conditions but they will be equally good in on 180+ pitches too.
 
You could tell after the first over of the Pakistan innings that both Babar and Rizwan meant business.

The placement, the running between the wickets, the big shots, the putting fielders and bowlers under pressure - sheer perfection.
 
I said this months ago: Babar and Rizwan are the best Pakistani openers. 8/10, they will put together a 50 runs partnership, if not more, and set the game up for the guys to come.
 
Should have picked the fat fixer over Rizwan. He would have scored a 25 ball hundred.
 
Mamoon said:
Should have picked the fat fixer over Rizwan. He would have scored a 25 ball hundred.
Click to expand...

Thank god Misbah destroyed his career along with Sarfraz.

Today these people are celebrating and giving credit to Hayden :))
 
Wouldn't have made a difference if Sharjeel and Fakhar opened because they would've perished in the first few overs, and Babar and Rizwan would have had to carry us to the finish line anyway.

The disrespect towards by far and away our two best batsmen is comical.
 
While they have been doing good, a real test is when they get out cheaply. That is when the balance of the side and the opening may have question marks
 
Mamoon said:
Should have picked the fat fixer over Rizwan. He would have scored a 25 ball hundred.
Click to expand...

He is a modern batsman, on the level of Buttler and Roy. He would have hit Bumrah for 6 sixes in an over and humiliated India finishing the run chase in 7 overs. Instead we are stuck with Babar and Rizwan who settled for a meagre 10-wicket victory.
 
Called it. If there was any place where these two would be a class above others its UAE.

They looked extra careful yesterday, but extra determined to be there at the end. Hats Off
 
Hopefully thats the end of their doubters n this thread
 
The running between the wickets the understanding between the two was the best I have seen from Pakistan openers. They toyed with the fielders.Thier was no question about who should open.
 
In earlier threads, your criticized Babar and never admitted the guys world class. Your argument against Bobby was that he hasn’t played a match winning knock against India. Just bumping that up
 
I think Imam is underrated by Pakistani fans and gets over the top hate, but honestly speaking, it is just dumb that Babar and Rizwan don’t open in ODIs.

Pakistan is missing a golden opportunity here because these two will easily surpass Saeed Anwar and Aamer Sohail as the most successful opening partnership in Pakistan history.

They have excellent chemistry, their running between the wickets is like prime Kohli and Dhoni.

They bat at a similar tempo and have almost identical styles which means that they don’t put each other under pressure.

Imam will have to sit out because he cannot bat at 3 or 4, but Fakhar can easily slot in at 3.

Babar and Rizwan combo would mean that Pakistan will race to 100/0 very often.
 
Mamoon said:
Pakistan is missing a golden opportunity here because these two will easily surpass Saeed Anwar and Aamer Sohail as the most successful opening partnership in Pakistan history.
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ODIs get 'reset' every 10 years. You can compare the mid-90s era with today and say that one generation of players are more successful than the other.

Because then you'll find that Aaron Finch is a better opener than Gilchrist, Rohit Sharma better than Tendulkar etc. etc.
 
Mamoon said:
I think Imam is underrated by Pakistani fans and gets over the top hate, but honestly speaking, it is just dumb that Babar and Rizwan don’t open in ODIs.

Pakistan is missing a golden opportunity here because these two will easily surpass Saeed Anwar and Aamer Sohail as the most successful opening partnership in Pakistan history.

They have excellent chemistry, their running between the wickets is like prime Kohli and Dhoni.

They bat at a similar tempo and have almost identical styles which means that they don’t put each other under pressure.

Imam will have to sit out because he cannot bat at 3 or 4, but Fakhar can easily slot in at 3.

Babar and Rizwan combo would mean that Pakistan will race to 100/0 very often.
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Don’t make me pull out the stats for Imam vs top 5 again…🤣
 
I agree that Babar and Rizwan should open in ODIs, but the issue is, if they fail at the top, will Pakistan even cross 150 in those matches? I doubt so.
 
Last edited:
Let the score be 6/2 like India was against Pakistan. Then this question becomes pertinent
 
Mohammad Rizwan/Babar Azam opening partnership in T20Is:

Innings 14
Runs 826
Average 63.53
Run-rate 8.54
Hundred-run partnerships 4
Fifty-run partnerships 1
 
Is Rizwan the biggest shut-up to arm chair critics of recent times? I have seen this guy deliver shut-up calls everytime he goes out to bat.
 
After providing Pakistan with another blazing start in the Super12s phase of the ICC World T20 2021 at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Stadium, premier batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have successfully entered their names in the history books on Tuesday. The established opener pair of Rizwan and Babar has surpassed the globally acclaimed opening duo of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in match No.31 of the ICC World T20 2021 at Abu Dhabi.

Azam and Rizwan joined forces and overtook Rohit and Dhawan's record of registering the most number of century stands in the shortest format of the game. Veteran Team India opener Rohit has been a part of four century stands with Indian southpaw Dhawan in men's T20 Internationals. Openers Azam and Rizwan scripted history by registering their fifth hundred-run stand in T20I cricket during Pakistan's meeting with minnows Namibia.

While Rizwan played a perfect second fiddle to Azam, the Pakistani opener and talismanic batter demolished the bowling attack of the Namibia side. Taking Namibia bowlers to the cleaners, Azam scored a sublime half-century as Pakistan crossed the 100-run mark inside the first 13 overs. Azam played a match-changing knock of 70 off 49 balls while Rizwan notched up his half-century before the end of the 19th over.

Rewriting history in the shortest format of the game, Azam and Rizwan also became the first batting pair to score 1000-plus runs in a calendar year. While Azam-Rizwan have smashed over 1k runs in T20I cricket, Bill Lowry and Bob Simpson had become the Test first pair to achieve the feat in 1964. In 1986, the batting duo of David Boon and Geoff Marsh became the first pair to add 1000-plus runs in One Day Internationals (ODI). Rizwan and Azam's fluent half-centuries powered Pakistan to 189-2 in the 20-over contest.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...rd-in-pakistan-vs-namibia-clash-t20-wc/828812
 
Dubai (AFP) – Pakistan's Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, the most destructive opening pair at the T20 World Cup, have been described as "unique" by batting coach Matthew Hayden.

The Australian legend should know -- over a 15-year international career, left-hander Hayden was a fixture at the top of the order, compiling more than 8,000 Test runs and over 6,000 in ODIs.

"Babar and Rizwan have created a unique opening for themselves," Hayden told AFP at the T20 World Cup where Pakistan have already made the semi-finals with four wins in four games.

"They are very independent players with their own styles but that blend and mix make for the perfect combination.

"They are unique and it's special to watch the way they have gone about playing in this World Cup. They chased down a target against India for victory in a perfect run chase, none down for a victory that Pakistan will remember."

In 2021, skipper Babar and wicketkeeper-batsman Rizwan have amassed 826 runs in 14 Twenty20 international partnerships.

They put on an unbroken 152-run stand -- their third as an opening pair -- as Pakistan trounced India in Dubai by 10 wickets -- their first win over their arch-rivals in 13 World Cup matches.

They combined once more for a 113-run stand to anchor Pakistan's win over Namibia in Abu Dhabi, becoming the first team to reach the semi-finals after four wins in as many games.

"We support each other and although we are not power hitters, we have a good record," Rizwan said after his man-of-the-match 79 not out against Namibia.

"If I get out early, he is needed to anchor the innings; if he falls, I am given the task to carry on."

Babar has three half centuries at the World Cup and his only failure came against New Zealand when he was dismissed for just nine.

With his run spree -- 721 in 21 matches this year -- Babar has regained the number one spot in the Twenty20 batsmen rankings.

Rizwan has 951 runs this year in the same number of matches.

His average is an astonishing 95.10. Rizwan is now number four in rankings.

"The whole team takes inspiration watching Rizwan bat and it brings us confidence," Babar said.

"His commitment and belief is exemplary and I enjoy his company at the crease."

Ever since they were asked to open a Twenty20 innings in February, they have made the spots their own.

As partners, they have shared four century stands and one partnership of fifty.

They both, however, differ in demeanour.

Babar appears the more serious, fitting for the under-pressure status as national captain.

Rizwan is chirpy, even sometimes smiling ruefully on his way back to the pavilion after being dismissed.

While Babar was an early starter in the team, Rizwan had to bide his time.

Babar got support at home while Rizwan's conservative family did not want him to play cricket.

Babar made his mark in two Under-19 World Cup editions in 2010 and 2012 -- captaining Pakistan in the second.

Rizwan had a real struggle to get picked, waiting five years for his chance after establishing himself as a first class cricketer of repute.

Once he replaced wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed in late 2019 he has made the spot his own, shining in all three formats with his best form coming in Twenty20 cricket.

Now both Babar and Rizwan are the heart and soul of the Pakistan team as they target a second T20 World Cup title.

© 2021 AFP
 
I think clearly they are a good opening pair & in short format cricket you need to play your aces early. Being cautious & defensive by playing them in the middle order isn't the way to boss a game- it's a strategy aimed at not being blown away, not at being confident in doing what you need to do to set up a game. A vision ruled by fear.

To set up the kind of big totals needed to regularly win T20I, Pakistan need their best players in for the longest possible time- setting it up so if you do what you're planning to do, start strongly, pressure off middle order & lower order free to hit out as the base is set. Back your OWN ability, don't fear the other teams.

It won't always work but it's smarter to me to get your best pieces out on the board early. Than to send out less talented players to waste the powerplay/get out & now have your two best bats coming in behind the 8 ball, under pressure to repair (not build) and vs bowlers with their tails up.

Much better to hope your two best players can instead do well, and put all that pressure back on the bowlers and make things simpler for those who come in later. Great leadership in that regard from both. And the talent to do it.
 
I still think the approach is poor, chasing low totals thanks to your bowling has not cost you guys yet.
 
Only Pakistan bowling can save this opening pair of Babar and Rizwan. Pakistan bowling has to setup the team to win.
 
What a rubbish opening pair

It’s Scotland
In Sharjah
We have chosen to bat first

We have scored 35 in 6 overs
 
Rana said:
What a rubbish opening pair

It’s Scotland
In Sharjah
We have chosen to bat first

We have scored 35 in 6 overs
Click to expand...

In a high scoring match against Australia it will be costly but in a low scoring match the gritty nature is beneficial all depends on the how the game goes.
 
People need to understand that the bowlers are bowling ok and you can't judge the score until both sides have batted. It does look like a tricky wcket.
 
They've done well, but today's effort was dismal.

Absolutely no urgency at all.
 
Saj said:
They've done well, but today's effort was dismal.

Absolutely no urgency at all.
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We haven’t been tested properly yet all chases of 150 and under a high scoring semi would properly test our team.
 
You can't say it often for these guys but they were meek and playing for their stats. No use of the feet and no attempt to put the bowlers off their length
 
Rizwan's dismissal today:

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Terrible start today for Pakistan, cant afford this against the likes of aussies
 
mosh101 said:
Terrible start today for Pakistan, cant afford this against the likes of aussies
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It is not a terrible start; it is a normal start. These openers averages 36 runs in first 6 overs and today again they are right on money. Terrible start would be if they average well below 36 runs like say 20-25 runs.
 
Pakistan's power-play scores:

v India 43/0
v New Zealand 30/1
v Afghanistan 38/1
v Namibia 29/0
v Scotland 35/0
 
They have definitely been over cautious and too slow particularly in the 2 games against the weakest teams. They need to start showing more intent. In the long run, Rizwan needs to work on his off side game.
 
Saj said:
Pakistan's power-play scores:

v India 43/0
v New Zealand 30/1
v Afghanistan 38/1
v Namibia 29/0
v Scotland 35/0
Click to expand...

And it averages to 35 runs in power-play overs. This is what happens if you open with 2 accumulators. May have to play Fakhar as an opener if you want to score more runs in power-play overs. And bring Sharjeel Khan back in team after this WC.
 
The partnership has been poor the last two games, however I'd think both Babar and Rizwan would prefer pace coming onto the ball and that pace will be offered by Australia's fast bowlers.

Don't think it will cost us the tournament, however their are a few improvements both can make just to put less pressure on the team and themselves i.e: Rizwan looking to utilise his offside game and Babar improving his strike rate vs slower bowlers
 
srh said:
And it averages to 35 runs in power-play overs. This is what happens if you open with 2 accumulators. May have to play Fakhar as an opener if you want to score more runs in power-play overs. And bring Sharjeel Khan back in team after this WC.
Click to expand...

Rana said:
When did the deliver 60-0 the last time??
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We are the only undefeated team in this WC - what exactly is STILL the problem?
 
Rana said:
When did the deliver 60-0 the last time??
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The strategy is working Go steady keep wkts in hand early and step it up after the powerplay and post 160 plus

Theyve won 5 out of 5 Why change?
 
Zaz said:
The strategy is working Go steady keep wkts in hand early and step it up after the powerplay and post 160 plus

Theyve won 5 out of 5 Why change?
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The last 3 against minnows overrated run of wins first 2 were decent last 3 were expected if we are chasing 180 vs Australia 36-0 in the first 6 isn’t going to help us win is it?
 
Cric1234 said:
The last 3 against minnows overrated run of wins first 2 were decent last 3 were expected if we are chasing 180 vs Australia 36-0 in the first 6 isn’t going to help us win is it?
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I dont expect them to go at 6 an over chasing 9 an over When have they done that? When they need to do that im sure they can go up the rate They ll have to and wont have a choice

Theyve been mainly setting a target or chasing 140-150 in those circumstances 6 an over is acceptable and has worked for them

When and if they need to up the rate chasing im sure they will and can
 
The entire T20 circuit: Need to maximize the field restrictions in the powerplay to control games.

Pakistan: watch us win 5 in a row while going at under a run a ball :bobs

(Pak Powerplay RR in this WC: 5.83)

But just as crucial to note that Pakistan lost just 2 wickets in 30 overs of powerplays. And the difference that that has made is right there infront of everyone to see.
 
msb314 said:
We are the only undefeated team in this WC - what exactly is STILL the problem?
Click to expand...

Because there is no winning with certain people. And its pointless to argue with them. With that gung-ho approach, Pakistan would almost certainly not have been unbeaten because an opener like Sharjeel is a complete hack is always going to fail far more than he is going to succeed and that's just speaking statistically. There's no telling how many times he would have been run-out with his egregious fitness.
 
It's utterly hilarious to me that the strike-rate brigade is still on Babar and Rizwan's case. Its things like these that make me question the cricketing acumen of certain posters.

If y'all paid attention to Pakistan's matches you would know that one of Pakistan's biggest keys to success has been that they have two accumulators at the top (both of whom average 50). The chances of even one of them playing till the end are statistically quite high, which always keeps Pakistan in the hunt for a good total. Because having a set batsman at the crease who can play till atleast the 17th over always allows the incoming batsman to play freely because they know there is someone who can hold the other end down.
 
If the blue-eyed boy of many posters: Sharjeel Khan was playing in this tournament, I reckon he would have been run-out falling on the pitch atleast a couple of times, because that's just how bad his fitness is. He certainly would not have been able to keep up with Rizwan or Babar. Especially when you look at the way in which they milk doubles. And don't even get me started again on what a complete and utter hack he is in-terms of batting ability.

I hope to God he never plays for Pakistan again. He would bring down what is at present a perfectly great T20 side.

Regardless of how many mistakes Ramiz makes, if he is able to keep Sharjeel out of the side, he will be forgiven for all else by me.
 
srh said:
And it averages to 35 runs in power-play overs. This is what happens if you open with 2 accumulators. May have to play Fakhar as an opener if you want to score more runs in power-play overs. And bring Sharjeel Khan back in team after this WC.
Click to expand...

As long as Ramiz Raja is the man in charge, there is a very little to no chance for the guys like Sharjeel & Amir to play for Pakistan unless he takes a massive Uturn on his stance on the match fixing.

Sharjeel should blame nobody but himself.

But yes, in future Fakhar should be tried with Babar or Rizwan.
 
bones said:
People need to understand that the bowlers are bowling ok and you can't judge the score until both sides have batted. It does look like a tricky wcket.
Click to expand...

Definitely, these are not easy wickets to score on if bowlers take the pace off the ball. I have made no secret of my belief these are the two best batsmen in Pakistan, I was supporting Rizwan even when Sarfraz was wearing the gloves.

But I do believe that this opening pair should be broken up if we insist on playing Fakhar. Fakhar is a slasher/slogger, but his main success for Pakistan has come when he opens and the field is in. At no 3 he is pointless. If you are going to play him, might as well give him one of the opening slots and hope he comes off.
 
I totally disagree with many comments in here.

Firstly these wickets aren’t pancake flat tracks.

The ball is doing something early on, either staying a bit low or some movement off the wicket.

Once it gets old then it becomes easier to hit, it’s a method that is working.

If we do get a flat wicket then sure they can and probably will be more positive.
 
I find it astounding that this being a cricket forum and people still not being able to see that one of the main reason our middle order is clicking is because of the safety net at the top. There is a very significant chance that the likes of Malik and Asif would fail if they are out in the middle by 8-10 overs.

I also find it astounding that statistically this is the best opening combo Pakistan have ever got in T20 yet the knives are out even after the games we have won. If we need to win games against top teams then we are ever so reliant on one of these two to play top innings. Like it or not they are Pakistan's best batters and have every right to bat the top.
 
90MPH said:
I totally disagree with many comments in here.

Firstly these wickets aren’t pancake flat tracks.

The ball is doing something early on, either staying a bit low or some movement off the wicket.

Once it gets old then it becomes easier to hit, it’s a method that is working.

If we do get a flat wicket then sure they can and probably will be more positive.
Click to expand...

Everything had worked out so far but if it’s a 170-80 par score wicket against Australia and we are 35-0 in the first six then we can only hope Malik or Hafeez can score a 20 ball 50 otherwise it’ll be game over.
 
I generally really like this opening combo, but they do need to speed up a bit in the PP. I am not asking for 10 an over but around 7+ an over at least. We can't always smash 70 off the last five overs; it is not realistic against Australia. When you are batting first, you need more than par so the start is crucial. Hopefully they can speed up a bit for the SF.
 
The Viper said:
I generally really like this opening combo, but they do need to speed up a bit in the PP. I am not asking for 10 an over but around 7+ an over at least. We can't always smash 70 off the last five overs; it is not realistic against Australia. When you are batting first, you need more than par so the start is crucial. Hopefully they can speed up a bit for the SF.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree. If we start with 60-0 after 10 on these pitches we could easily finish on 110-9 which would end the match for us.

I think the first 4 overs should be the 'platform'. After that i want to see 8 an over from Babar and Rizwan.
 
Cric1234 said:
In a high scoring match against Australia it will be costly but in a low scoring match the gritty nature is beneficial all depends on the how the game goes.
Click to expand...

How can you say that it is going to be high scoring?
 
Australia look at Rizwan and Hasan and will be licking their lips.

If we bat first, and Rizwan Keeps playing the way he has, then he would have lost us the game
 
Rana said:
Babar is captain
Rizwan is vice captain

They are loved by the management and a large section of fans. They will do what suits them best, and enhances their personal run tally whilst believing their runs are the most crucial to the team. So they will not change positions no matter what because they know very well that they cannot bat anywhere near as good as they potentially can as openers in any other position. Especially Rizwan, he isn’t even good enough to have in the top 6 if he isn’t opening, and you would prefer to have Hassan Ali to go in before he does at the death as well.

What I can guarantee is that it Pakistan had a bold captain who cares about the team and not his individual performance to make it look like he is a ‘performing captain’, then Rizwan will not be in the side…whilst Babar will be batting at 3 or 4.
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🙄 utter rubbish 🤦🏽*♂️
 
To be fair, both Rizwan and Babar were trying to score boundaries but this wicket was not an easy one to bat on specially batting first. I am sure both will come back strong in the semi.
 
The Viper said:
I generally really like this opening combo, but they do need to speed up a bit in the PP. I am not asking for 10 an over but around 7+ an over at least. We can't always smash 70 off the last five overs; it is not realistic against Australia. When you are batting first, you need more than par so the start is crucial. Hopefully they can speed up a bit for the SF.
Click to expand...

+1
Posters are debating extremes. A wise man once said never forgot your own dance in trying to dance like others.
Let Babar and Rizwan flow on their own vibes. They are savvy enough to go faster where needed like they did in SA and England where wickets were flatter. When one of them stay till the 17th over, Pak usually get a competitive total.
 
The opening partnership is Pakistan's biggest strength at this world T20. They have been superb.
If they fail - it's hard to see pakistan winning a knockout game.
 
Usergame said:
The opening partnership is Pakistan's biggest strength at this world T20. They have been superb.
If they fail - it's hard to see pakistan winning a knockout game.
Click to expand...

That's why the contest between Pakistan openers and Australia opening seemers could decide the game.
 
Pakistan opening partnership is a strength and both should open the wicket was hard to bat on.
 
Finally a good start in the first 6 overs 47 runs and 0 wickets (7.83 run rate), although Rizwan was dropped twice.
I think Pakistan could not have asked for a better start from these openers (Rizwan & Babar), remember they are not hitters.
 
932 runs opening together at an average of 62.13 and a run rate of 8.25 runs per over.

4 hundred partnerships and 2 fifties when opening together.
 
Aussie scored 52 runs in first 6 overs for loss of 1 wicket (8.66 run rate).
 
Babar & Rizwan's slow batting finally cost Pakistan the WC although Rizwan did amend by accelerating late but it was too late.
 
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