Babar and Rizwan failed to improve or show intent in their batting.
Salman Agha is a proper batter, but he shows intent, takes the risk to score runs. He made his name in t20 through Isb United, where they grabbed him up in the draft and played in a very important position where he can anchor the innings and can shift gears.
Even in a few international games, he showed intent. Now when i say intent, i dont mean just swinging the bat. What i mean is that going after the weaker bowlers to score runs, trying to attack when the run rate is rising.
Babar and Rizwan dont bother to increase the run rate or give cameos. They go on the pitch with a mind that they will bat for 20 overs. The problem with that approach is that they might be scoring runs in the first few overs, but then by the 8th or 9th over, they will slow down and eat up balls.
Plus, they both havent bother to improve.
The Babar we saw under Mickey is not there anymore. Back than Babar was scoring runs, trying to build a name for himself. But now, he goes for the safe approach towards his runs, he tends to slow down near milestones.
Rizwan, was flawed, but than under Misbah, he developed a game plan with how to his flaws to his advantages and developed few shots in his aresenal to get himself off pressure. Rizwan, like Agha, used to show intent when he was trying to prove himself.
What Babar and Rizwan need to remember is that in t20 cricket spots are temporary, and you cant keep ur spots forever. You will need to keep fixing your game to return.
Right now, Pakistan cannot afford 3 anchors, so from these 3 Agha is the best option. Rizwan needs to go towards the Hafeez route, where he needs to develop his shots and not aim for long innings but for cameos. Both these guys need to forget about opening slots. Opening is not for them anymore. They need to come down the order and have cameo roles.
Babar spot would had made sense if he was as good as Kohli who can change the games complextion by being on the pitch. But Babar is not that type of player.
