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Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has recently commented on the ongoing criticism surrounding the strike rates of Pakistan’s top-order batters, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, particularly in T20 cricket.
Both Babar and Rizwan have often come under scrutiny for their relatively low strike rates during the early stages of their innings.
However, Williamson, known for his calm and measured approach to batting, offered a balanced perspective on the issue, stressing the importance of understanding one’s role within the team.
In an exclusive interview with a local sports outlet, Williamson explained that T20 cricket is all about adapting to what the team needs to win, rather than focusing solely on personal strike rates.
“It’s all about what the team requires and trying to win games for your team,” he said.
Drawing from his own experiences in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where team strategies and pitch conditions can vary significantly, Kane Williamson highlighted the adaptability needed in T20 cricket.
“As we’ve seen in the PSL, we’ve seen scores of 230, but we’ve also seen scores around 140 and 130. You have to be adaptable, and whoever you are, your role for the team is to contribute to the best performance possible,” he added.
“Sometimes it’s about scoring quickly, and other times it’s about steady accumulation — as long as it’s aimed at helping your team win.”
The Kiwi batter also praised Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam, expressing his admiration for the elegant right-hander.
“I’ve only been here for a couple of days, so I’m still enjoying watching everybody play. But having faced Pakistan frequently over the years, I’ve always enjoyed watching Babar bat,” Williamson said.
“He’s an amazing player, and a beautiful player to watch,” he continued. “He’s one that I’ve always enjoyed,” Williamson added, highlighting the respect he has for Babar’s technical skills and overall composure at the crease.
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