Pakistan ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan hinted that Babar Azam will open the batting alongside Fakhar Zaman in the opening match of the ODI tri-series against New Zealand which is scheduled to start from February 8. Pakistan will face New Zealand and South Africa as the tri-series format returns to international cricket after a long break.
Pakistan will be without the services of Saim Ayub for the tri-series and the upcoming Champions Trophy as the batter is currently on the road to recovery from the leg injury he got during the South Africa tour. Pakistan are the last one among 8 teams to announce their squad for the marquee event and while announcing their squad it was revealed that either Babar or Saud Shakeel would open the batting for Pakistan alongside the returning Fakhar Zaman during the tournament, which will begin on February 19.
A journalist asked Mohammad Rizwan in the press conference what will be their opening combination. The Pakistan skipper decided to use the famous line associated with Babar to hint that the star batter could be the one coming out to open alongside Fakhar. The clip of Rizwan's answer goes viral, here is the clip.
"Iske jawaab mein woh baat ki thi na, 'King kar lega'." (The answer is, there was a line 'King will do it'.)
“We have the best choice of players so it is an important series and the best preparation for the bigger event, the Champions Trophy,” Pakistan skipper Rizwan told reporters ahead of Saturday’s match in Lahore.
Pakistan will start their Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand on February 19 which is scheduled to take place at National Stadium in Karachi.