Mickey Arthur says Babar, Rizwan doesn’t suit to T20
Former Pakistan cricket team director and head coach, Mickey Arthur, has stirred debate with his recent remarks about Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Despite acknowledging them as world-class performers, Arthur believes the duo no longer suits the demands of modern-day T20 cricket.

Speaking to a private TV channel, Arthur highlighted how the shortest format has evolved, stressing the need for more aggressive and explosive batting at the top of the order.

“Babar and Rizwan are very good players, but the game has moved on. They are not the right fit for T20 cricket anymore,” he said.

Arthur, however, reserved praise for Pakistan’s current head coach Mike Hesson, appreciating his forward-thinking approach. He also credited Salman Ali Agha for working alongside Hesson to build a clear and well-defined strategy for the national side.

The timing of Arthur’s comments is particularly significant. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced its squad for the upcoming Asia Cup T20, notably excluding both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Their omission has sparked heated discussions among fans and experts about Pakistan’s batting strategy and the future shape of its T20 team.

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Pakistan cricket is entering a phase of transition, where adaptability and strike-rate may matter more than reputation.