Former captain wants Pakistan to use main players on top

Pakistan former captain and batting great Mohammad Yousuf has called for main batsmen to bat up the order and play the pressure overs, for the side to score big.

"We sent youngsters up the order again and the main players were held back," said Yousuf, quoted PakPassion. The former skipper was of the view that in doing so, the youngsters would have the freedom to play to their abilities and the team can attain big scores.

"Like I said during the One Day Internationals [ODI], we need to bring the main players up the order, as the main player is the one who has to play during difficult times. If the main player survives the initial overs, then we can make a big score," he said.

Babar Azam, who batted at number three throughout the ODI series in New Zealand, was sent down the order at number five in Monday’s T20 game. On the other hand, all rounder Muhammad Nawaz was sent one down, a move that backfired as Nawaz was dismissed on seven runs.

Pakistan's top order failed to perform again, as the team was reeling on 38 runs at the loss of six wickets, in 10 overs. "If we look at New Zealand team, their main players play up the order like Guptill, Munro and Taylor do," he added.

With the series 1-0 in favour of New Zealand, Pakistan would play the second T20I of the three match series, on January 25 at Auckland.