Babar’s absence should not worry Pakistan: Miandad

ISLAMABAD: Batting legend Javed Miandad believes the absence of Babar Azam should not torment Pakistan against New Zealand in the Twenty20 series, saying that any player who gets an opportunity should have the courage to win for the team.

During the Sunday practise session, right-handed Babar was removed from the New Zealand T20s after sustaining a fracture in his right thumb. The 26-year-old skipper will not be on the net for at least 12 days and will not be available in Auckland, Hamilton and Napier for the Dec18, 20 and 22 T20s.

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Miandad was of the opinion that any player in the squad should have the courage to show their mettle and the lack of any single player must not haunt the whole team.

Our main player is Babar. As he is [Pakistan’s] top performing player at the moment, no doubt his absence will impact the side. The team should not get under pressure, however, as there are 11 players in the team who all need to have the confidence to perform for their country,” former skipper Miandad said on Monday while talking to APP.

“If any player is injured or otherwise, others should fulfil their team duty by performing as victory is gained when the entire team performs.”

The whole Pakistan squad is worthy of winning, Miandad estimates.

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The players are all all as good as they play for the country. They just need to develop their confidence and they need to succeed whatever gets the chance,” he insisted.

In the meantime, former skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq has said that the injury to Babar raises several concerns.

Babar was hurt on Dec 13 and won’t play for 12 days, as per the PCB release, which is incomprehensible. If he returns to the net for practise on Dec 25 after 12 days, then it means that he will not be eligible for the first exam, also on Dec 26, so you need time to practise and it will take 7 to 8 days for Babar to get in shape, Inzamam said on his YouTube channel in a video. “[Opener] There was also an injury to Imam-ul-Haq. For two weeks, he won’t be able to play and can’t train, because that means he’ll be out of the first test too.