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Former Pakistan captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were not included in the team for the T20 series against New Zealand in April this year. Due to the team’s continuous poor performance, it seemed as if both their T20 careers were over. Regarding this, the team’s new head coach Mike Hayes said something which shows that his T20 career is not over yet. Two experienced players of Pakistan cricket team, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been dropped from the T20 series against New Zealand. Earlier, Rizwan was also removed from the captaincy and Salman Ali Aga was appointed as the captain in his place, however, this did not change the bad condition of the team and the team lost the series against New Zealand 1-4.

Earlier, as hosts, the Pakistan cricket team had been eliminated from the group stage in the Champions Trophy. Now Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed New Zealand’s Mike Hassan as the head coach for limited overs. Quoting a PCB source, it has been reported that in a conversation with the selectors this week, Hasan has favored playing Babar and Rizwan. The report quoted the source as saying, ‘Mike Hayes told the selectors that he feels that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan can still give a lot to the team with their experience.’ She wants to give him a second chance before deciding about his future in T20.

The source said that senior selector Aaqib Javed had expressed doubts over the wisdom of including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in future T20 plans. However, Mike Hussey wants both the legends to play in this format. He wants to test them because their experience will be important. The source had said, ‘Pakistan team will be announced for the home series against Bangladesh.’ There is every possibility of the return of both the players. Pakistan is to play a 5-match T20 series on its home grounds in Lahore and Faisalabad. The first match was to be held on 25th May, but due to postponement of PSL, there may be some change in its schedule.