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New Zealand hammer Pakistan by 43 runs to sweep ODI series 3-0

5 Apr 25

Former captain Shahid Afridi believes Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam should stand aside and give Mohammad Haris his opener slot in Wednesday's Twenty20 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

Pakistan, the 2009 champions, appeared to be out of the competition until the Netherlands stunned South Africa on Sunday.

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar entered the tournament as the top two T20 batters, but neither has scored a fifty so far. Rizwan has scored at a run-a-ball rate, while Pakistan's top batter, Babar, has a strike rate of 61.90.

Both will have to up their game against last year's runners-up New Zealand in the first semi-final in Sydney. India play England in the second semi in Adelaide on Thursday.

"Babar Azam needs to listen to suggestions. We need to use Mohammad Haris with fielding restrictions. Babar Azam should drop to number three" former all-rounder Afridi told Samaa TV.

Afridi believes Pakistan's top order should be as aggressive as middle order batters Iftikhar Ahmed and Shan Masood.

"You look at Iftikhar or Shan Masood and you can see their intention in their body language, that they are looking to hit the ball. We need that kind of intention, that kind of cricket.