Pakistan captain Babar Azam has provided an important update on Mohammad Rizwan’s recent injury and hopes he returns in time for his tours of Ireland and England.
The Green Army will embark on a European tour immediately after the conclusion of their 5-match home T20I series against the Green Army New Zealand. The ongoing series currently stands at 1-1 after the Kiwis defeated the hosts by 7 wickets in the 3rd T20I. In this match at the Rawalpindi Stadium, Pakistan suffered a major blow when Mohammad Rizwan unexpectedly sustained an injury.
How did Mohammad Rizwan get injured?
While batting in the first innings in Rawapindi, Mohammad Rizwan was forced out due to injury after he pulled his right hamstring and immediately felt pain. Rizwan was carried off the field after his contribution of 22 off 21. Pakistan eventually achieved a target of 179 through the efforts of Saim Ayub (32 off 22), Babar Azam (37 off 29), Irfan Khan (30 off 20) and Shadab Khan (41 off 20).
But this particular target didn’t pose much of a threat to the inexperienced New Zealand team, who beat the total by 18.2 overs. New Zealand number 4 batsman Mark Chapman was named man of the match for leading his team to victory, scoring 87 off 42 not out. And tonight both teams will fight to take the lead in the 5-game series.
As for Mohammad Rizwan’s hamstring injury, the wicket-keeper batsman was rushed to a nearby hospital for a check-up immediately after leaving the field. It is said that Rizwan will rest for at least three to four weeks and his scan reports will be sent to a specialist in London who will share his findings on the injury in the coming days.
According to reports, Rizwan’s injury layoff could be extended further if the England doctor finds anything suspicious. So at the moment everything depends on the evaluation of these scan reports.
What did Babar Azam say about Rizwan?
Speaking to press reporters in Lahore ahead of the 4th T20I against the Blackcaps, Babar Azam had nothing but praise for Mohammad Rizwan. Babar said that Rizwan’s absence will be felt in the dressing room as he has been a great servant of the national team and his contributions to the team have been immense.
Babar also revealed that Rizwan’s hamstring injury was far from serious and giving him a few weeks off was a precautionary measure to rest him for the summer. The Pakistan captain concluded by saying that Rizwan is a real fighter and that he will soon be available for the team after his rehabilitation at the NCA in Islamabad.
“The entire team missed Rizwan. The way he served the team and the nation is before you. He is a fighter and always tries to do his best. His injury is nothing to worry about but as a precautionary measure we want to save him.” “He will undergo rehabilitation at the NCA and he will receive appropriate care. I hope he will be ready before the Ireland series and inshaAllah that he will be available soon,” Babar Azam told reporters in Lahore.