Babar and Rizwan have put their best foot forward in the game that mattered: Wasim Jaffer

Former India batter Wasim Jaffer has lauded Pakistan’s opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for stepping up in a big semi-final clash against New Zealand.

The duo added 105 for the first wicket in just 12.4 overs in a run-chase of 153 in the knockout fixture and it took away all the pressure from the middle-order. The Men in Green have now reached the finals of the T20 World Cup 2022 after winning the game at the Sydney Cricket Ground by seven wickets 

Ahead of the semi-final, a lot of doubts prevailed over Babar and Rizwan’s form as they failed to register big starts at the top in the tournament. It could not have been a better time for Pakistan to see their openers back in form ahead of the all-important final. Speaking on that, Jaffer explained the importance of big players clicking at the right time. 

Pakistan will be happy that their captain has come in form: Wasim Jaffer 

Jaffer mentioned the debates over the pair’s strike rate in the powerplay and noted that they have turned the tables at the right time. He mentioned that Pakistan will be happy with Babar’s form and highlighted the importance of Rizwan peaking as well. He went on to add how the middle-order have done their job so far in different games and claimed that the only missing piece in the jigsaw was the opening pair.  

“A lot of debate was going on for their slow play and both the batters haven’t been scoring enough runs in the powerplay. But they have put their best foot forward in the game that mattered. Rizwan scored, Babar scored, and they (Pakistan) will be happy that their captain has come in form. Rizwan has been on and off in terms of run-scoring. He was brilliant in the Asia Cup and it (Pakistan) will be a happy camp if Rizwan starts contributing,” Jaffer told on BatBricks7 presents ‘Run Ki Runneeti show’ on CricTracker. 

“Their middle order is playing well with Mohammad Haris has come good in three games after Fakhar Zaman’s injury. Those were the X-factor innings after changing the momentum in a short span. Shan Masood, Iftikhar all these guys have performed and the missing thing was the opening partnership. The runs from them have come now and that is a good sign for Pakistan from batting perspective,” he added. 

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