'Babar and Rizwan lack confidence' - Nikhil Chopra on underwhelming performances by Pakistan openers

Pakistan locked horns with Bangladesh in the Super 12 stage of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in what was a virtual quarterfinal and the former won the clash. The win eventually meant that the Men in Green made it through to the semi-finals of the marquee event down under.

Pakistan got into such position because of the Netherlands as they pulled off an upset for the ages in their game against South Africa earlier in the day at the Adelaide Oval. After setting up a decent total of 158 runs on the board, the Netherlands delivered an impressive with the ball and restricted the Proteas to 145 in their quota of 20 overs.

While there was an improved display from both Pakistan openers as they struck their first fifty partnership of the ongoing tournament but didn't look at ease in the middle. Former India international Nikhil Chopra believes the batters down the order for Pakistan have been crucial while the openers need to come good in the games going forward.

“See, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have got some runs today but look at the number of balls they played. They did not have any pressure of the score they were chasing, they had the time to play run a ball but that’s the difference.

Sure, they must be feeling confident that they made it to the semis and (are) playing the new ball well but they (Babar and Rizwan) have lacked that confidence,” said Nikhil on BatBricks7 Run Ki RunNeeti post-match show on CricTracker.

Top order still needs to fire: Nikhil Chopra

While the duo has endured a string of underwhelming performances and been unable to build solid partnerships, Nikhil further added that they will need to fire going ahead.

"If you look at Pakistan’s batting, 60% of their runs in T20I cricket, come from both the openers and that sort of form has not been displayed yet. Even in the previous match against South Africa we saw the middle order and down-the-order batters come and score and win the must-win game.

Today too there was some help but the ones down the order helped them get ahead in the match. So, the top order still needs to fire. But bowling has been coming in fine rhythm, Shaheen Afridi has picked seven wickets in the two (last) games and has been dangerous for the side,” he added.