Tanvir Advocates for Roster Change in T20 Format

Sohail Tanvir, the former Pakistani left-arm rapid bowler, has cast doubt upon the approach of consistently including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in the T20 squad, implying that the team should only field one of these players.

During a discussion on a local media platform this Wednesday, Tanvir voiced his worries regarding the likeness in strategies and scoring tempo between the two prominent batsmen. He asserted that their inclination to begin innings cautiously could negatively impact their performance in the dynamic T20 setting.

“They’re both capable athletes,” stated Tanvir. “However, their style of play doesn’t quite align with T20 demands, ultimately hurting the team’s chances.”

The former bowler proposed substituting one of them with a more attacking batsman, such as Sahibzada Farhan, or another player known for scoring at a faster pace.

Tanvir clarified that while Babar and Rizwan are often successful in elevating their scoring rates to 130 or 140 later in their innings, this improvement frequently occurs too late, often when the match has already slipped beyond retrieval.

He further observed that the strength of Pakistan’s bowling attack previously compensated for any weaknesses present within the batting lineup.

“In instances where our bowlers showcased strong performances, it either provided a sufficient total for defense or secured victory. However, with the current underperformance in bowling, the batting order is also crumbling under duress,” he commented. “We are failing to accumulate sufficient runs and struggling to defend them effectively.”

Tanvir suggested that both players should adjust their tactics to better suit the requirements of modern T20 cricket.

“They still have the chance to refine their skills and embrace a contemporary approach,” he added. “I’m not suggesting they aim to hit a six with every delivery, but they need to develop the ability to improvise, particularly Babar, who needs to broaden his repertoire of shots.”

He referenced players like Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli, who have effectively modified their strategies to remain competitive in T20 cricket.

“Babar is also a very accomplished player, yet the crucial question remains whether he is willing to adapt,” he concluded.