Rizwan Reflects on Pakistan’s Disappointing T20 WC Campaign

Pakistan opener Mohammed Rizwan has candidly addressed his team’s disastrous ICC T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies and the USA, acknowledging that the team deserves criticism. He stated that PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has the authority to decide the future composition of the team.

Pakistan’s campaign concluded with a three-wicket victory over Ireland in Florida during the Group Stage, which was a dead rubber as arch-rivals India and USA from Group A had already advanced to the Super 8 stage.

Placed in Group A, Pakistan faced back-to-back defeats against co-hosts USA and then their bitter rival, India. Although they managed to bounce back with consecutive wins against Canada and Ireland, it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the Super 8, as they ended in third place in their group due to net run rate.

Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar on Tuesday, Rizwan said, “The criticism the team is facing is justified and we deserve this since we did not perform in accordance with expectations. Players who cannot face criticism would not be able to succeed. We are disappointed with our performance in the T20 World Cup. There are multiple reasons behind our losses. When a team loses, one cannot say that bowling and batting is doing well.”

He also compared the team to an ill person needing an operation, emphasizing that the PCB chief has the right to decide the team’s future. “Operations are a normal thing. When a person is ill, the operation is necessary. PCB Chairman is a hard-working person. The decision about who will remain in the team and who will not is the chairman’s right,” he added.

Rizwan himself had an underwhelming tournament, scoring just 110 runs in four innings at an average of 36.66 and a strike rate of 90.90, with one fifty, a knock of 53* against Canada. His opening partner and captain Babar Azam also struggled, scoring just 122 runs in four games at an average of 40.66, with a best score of 44 and a strike rate of 101.66.