Pakistan need Malik and Hafeez's experience, says T20 captain Babar Azam

Pakistan's T20 skipper Babar Azam has defended decision to recall veterans Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez, saying experienced duo's presence will help team in its pursuit of retaining number one spot in shortest format. Desperate to hold on to its numero u status in T20 rankings, Pakistan has recalled Malik and Hafeez in team for three-match series against Bangladesh.  After 0-3 drubbing at hands of Sri Lanka last year, desperate time awaits Pakistan as y need to win all three matches against Bangladesh, failing which y will slide to second spot behind England or India in T20 rankings after holding on to top spot since January 2018.

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Pakistan need Malik and Hafeez's experience

"I felt that we needed se two (Malik, Hafeez) seniors. y were part of number one team last year," he said. 

"I gave my opinion to selectors and y heard me. ir presence will help me and team. I will learn from m on captaincy as well," Babar added.

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25-year-old batsman said Pakistan is under pressure in series against Bangladesh, especially after thrashing in last T20 series against Sri Lanka at home in October last year.  " re is pressure for us because what is done is done but we will t try to repeat same mistakes we did against Lankans," Babar said. Babar made it clear that y were t taking Bangladesh lightly.

"Bangladesh have a good combination of youngsters and seniors and it will be a good competitive series. ir players have advant of having come here fresh out of BPL (Bangladesh Premier League)," he said.

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This is first time in 12 years that Bangladesh is touring Pakistan and on first leg of visit, y will play T20 series at Lahore before flying back home. Babar, who is top batsman in ICC T20 rankings, said series was important for Pakistan as y wanted to retain ir number one rankings besides y were also trying out some new players. Pakistan captain, however, said that a clear picture about composition of Pakistan's World T20 squad would come after Pakistan Super League in February-March.

An excited Babar also said it is a big moment for him to lead Pakistan at Gaddafi Stadium here, a venue where 13 years back he served as a ball boy.  "It has been a long journey for me and I am very excited about captaining Pakistan for first time at home and that too at Gaddafi Stadium," Babar told reporter. " doubt it is a big moment for me because 13 years back I was a ball ball at this stadium." 

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