Saleem Malik wants two batsmen back in the Pakistani middle-order

Pakistan’s journey in the Asia Cup 2018 has been a struggle thus far. Although they have fared well in terms of their bowling, their batting has been a misery. The side found it tough in both the games against India. Had it not been for Shoaib Malik, Pakistan would have faced a major embarrassment against Afghanistan as well. Thus, the former skipper, Saleem Malik, voiced out his opinion about the changes to be brought in the middle order.

Although the top order had done decently well, the middle-order looks quite fragile. Shoaib Malik is the only reliable batsmen out there and it is too much of a burden on him alone. Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has had his struggles with the bat and Asif Ali isn’t as reliable while Shadab Khan can’t be banked upon.

Saleem Malik feels having experienced batsmen is the need of the hour

Saleem Malik, who has represented Pakistan in 103 Tests, put forth a suggestion for the ‘Men in Green’. He felt that it was important to bring in the likes of Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Akmal back into the side. “The batsmen like Umar Akmal and Mohammad Hafeez are need of the hour,” he was quoted as saying in ARY Sports.

“Sarfraz’s decision to come at number four is wrong he should play at down the batting order,” he further stated. The 55-year-old also added that it was quite unexpected from Pakistan to play so poorly. “Pakistan played poor cricket which was not expected from a team who performed quite well last year,” the former skipper said.

Furthermore, Malik advised the head coach Mickey Arthur not to put pressure on the players. He said that the players should be allowed to express themselves on the cricket field. Saleem Malik concluded by saying that Pakistan was over-reliant on Shoaib Malik and Babar Azam, both of whom have got an excellent temperament and can easily absorb the pressure.

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