This makes sense to the Pakistan think tank, the Cricket Board and the powers that B. For the up and coming series against New Zealand, they have inexplicably dropped Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam too. I am not sure which one is more controversial, but in equal measure, both have earned the ire of yours truly!

Granted, he's a marmite cricketer (you love him or you hate him), but behind the stumps, there are not many better .. in the world game. As a glovemen he's very tidy behind the stumps and is a standard bearer. Once upon a time, they tried this stunt before of trying to replace Rizwan, do we remember what happened sports fans?

The PCB, almost with their tale in between their legs, put the Multan Sultans skipper back in the side. Mohammed Rizwan of course lost his place to Champions Trophy winning captain Sarfraz Ahmed, who despite being a gutsy batsmen, who bats with plenty of heart, is not one of the better wicket-keepers Pakistan have had. Controversial? It probably is. 

In the recently concluded Champions Trophy, Rizwan wasn't too bad, which is probably why they kept with him, but even then by dropping him for the T20 series with The Black Caps, the decision is strange, to put it mildly. Haseebullah hasn't been picked, despite his good average, which would have been somewhat of a get out of jail card for the PCB, but with the young left-hander not picked, it seems even more peculiar. 

Usman Khan, who has shown glimpses of his talent since being picked is included. The legendary Babar Azam, has also been ditched for the shortest format. Just like they did with Mohammed Rizwan, they will go running back to Babar, they did this before, when the 30-year-old didn't play in the back end of the series against England. 

The former skipper divides opinion, like no other. They're a passionate lot down South (Asia). Their tolerance and patience levels to acheive patience at times is non-existent. With Babar Azam it's easy, no really it is. Build a good team around him. Babar, has been famous for playing himself, letting himself catch up with the scoring rate. 

Babar Azam can give the ball a thwack, but he is elegance personified. When Babar hits the cricket ball, he caresses as oppose Asif Ali for example who bludgeons the ball to all parts when he is the mood. Talking of Ali, this is what they need, players like him. Azam Khan, and even Irfan Khan too, but players who can strike the cricket ball and play quick-fire innings to get the score board ticking a long. 

Pakistan did this at the start of the decade. They had Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik and Mohammed Hafeez in the 'engine room'. It so nearly worked sa treat, Pakistan got to a final and did their country proud. More of the same please, some time soon gents?