Trying to find right combination, says Babar

LAHORE: Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam has said that their main plan is to test the bench strength and give chance to everyone so that they could find a specific combination for the ICC T20 World Cup which will be hosted by the US and the West Indies this June.

“Our plan is to test everyone so that we could make a certain combination and when we go to the World Cup we are mentally clear,” Babar said after Pakistan lost their fourth T20I against New Zealand by just four runs here at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Pakistan are 2-1 down in the five-match series with the last one set to be conducted here at the same venue on Saturday (today). Babar said that 179 was chaseable but early wickets loss dented their chances. “It was a chaseable target but we faced early hiccups in batting as we lost four quick wickets and that created problem. Fakhar played an outstanding innings but unfortunately we could not finish,” Babar said.

“Imad also did well. When you lose quick wickets, you need time to settle down,” Babar was quick to add. He praised Pakistan’s comeback in bowling. “I think in bowling we did well. They had started brightly and we were expecting 190 to 200 from them but the way bowlers bowled as per plans in the end was fantastic,” Babar said.

“It was a different pitch and it seemed that 180 would be scored. It was chaseable as I said earlier. You know we also lacked experience in bowling. We made changes due to injuries and youngsters did put in their best,” he said.

“We wanted to give opportunity to the bench strength. We have also given opportunities to Usman Khan as these are his debut matches and unfortunately Irfan Khan got unfit,” the skipper said.