Pakistan faced a tough challenge against India in the Champions Trophy. Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq struggled, failing to make a significant impact. This raises an important question—should Pakistan change their batting lineup for the next match?
- Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq failed against India.
- Pakistan needs a strong opening pair to compete effectively.
- Usman Khan is a potential replacement.
- Saud Shakeel could be dropped to accommodate Babar at No.3.
Why Should Pakistan Change Their Opening Combination?
Pakistan’s batting issues started with Saim Ayub’s injury, weakening their top order. Fakhar Zaman‘s absence made it worse, forcing Imam-ul-Haq back into the squad.
Against India, Babar Azam scored only 23 runs, while Imam managed just 10. With a crucial match against Bangladesh coming up, Pakistan must rethink their opening strategy. A change in the lineup could improve their chances in the tournament.
Who Can Replace Babar or Imam?
Pakistan has a strong alternative in Usman Khan. He is an aggressive batter who can provide a fast start in the powerplay. His numbers in T20s show his potential:
- 983 runs in 40 T20 innings
- Strike rate of 141.8
- Average of 46.8 in the first 10 overs
Despite not playing ODIs for Pakistan yet, Usman has excelled in List-A cricket:
- 681 runs at an average of 75.66
- Strike rate of 117.61
His ability to score quickly could be exactly what Pakistan needs.
Who Should Be Dropped?
Looking at the stats, Imam has a better record as an opener in ODIs:
| Criterion | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babar (as opener) | 175 | 25 | 76.75 |
| Imam (as opener) | 3138 | 48.28 | 82.56 |
However, Babar Azam is Pakistan’s best batter in terms of technique. He is more comfortable at No.3, where he has played most of his ODI career. Instead of dropping him, Pakistan should consider moving him back to No.3.
The Best Option for Pakistan
To accommodate Usman Khan, Pakistan should rethink their middle order. If Saud Shakeel continues to struggle, he should be dropped. This would allow Usman to open with Imam, while Babar moves to No.3.
This setup ensures that Pakistan’s strongest batter plays in his best position, while Usman adds firepower to the opening. It is a tactical move that could help Pakistan perform better in the upcoming matches.
Pakistan needs to make a smart decision before their next match. Dropping Imam or Babar is not the best solution—instead, restructuring the batting order makes more sense. Usman Khan’s inclusion and Babar Azam’s return to No.3 could strengthen the team.
Check out the Champions Trophy Stats
