Pakistan’s interim white-ball cricket head coach Aaqib Javed is backing skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam despite their struggles in the three-match T20I series against Australia. Rizwan scored 0 and 16 in two games, while Babar amassed 3, 3 and 41. The Men in Green lost the series by 0-3.

“Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan still have a value in T20Is. They have performed over the years for Pakistan,” he said.

His response came after Basit Ali claimed that Babar Azam’s T20I career was over affect Aaqib Javed was appointed as the head coach.

“This may be Babar Azam’s last T20I match as Aaqib Javed is the new head coach in shorter formats,” he said.

“Your premium batter has scored just 14 runs in three matches. He is getting dismissed before the eighth over,” he added.

Babar Azam posted 37, 15*, and 28* in the three ODIs Down Under.

Aaqib is currently focussing on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“We were focusing on the Champions Trophy. You will see a settled team in one-day internationals. You will also see changes in the T20I format. We are giving chances to new players in the upcoming series against Zimbabwe. It is important to give chances to new faces to improve your bench strength,” he added.

“We defeated Australia in one-day international series after 22 years. We had chances in T20Is but failed to capitalise. You won’t win if you don’t grab chances,” he added.