Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan is expected to miss the remaining T20Is of the ongoing five-match series against New Zealand at home. Mohammad Rizwan is also at risk of missing the upcoming T20I away series against Ireland and England next month.
The Pakistan national cricket team is currently hosting the T20 series against the Black Caps as part of their preparations for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The first game of the series was canceled due to rain. The home team won the second T20I match before losing the following match.
Pakistan scored 178 runs, with notable contributions from Shadab Khan and Babar Azam (37 runs off 29 balls). Ish Sodhi excelled for New Zealand by taking two wickets for 25 runs. Shadab scored 41 runs off just 20 balls, including four boundaries and two maximums, at a strike rate of 205.
Mark Chapman scored an unbeaten 87 runs, including nine fours and four sixes. Chapman helped New Zealand reach the target with 10 balls remaining. With the series tied 1-1, the 4th T20I will be played on April 25 in Lahore. The final will be played on April 27 at the same venue.
Mohammad Rizwan’s injury is serious – report
During the third T20I against New Zealand, Mohammad Rizwan felt discomfort in his right thigh muscle. The right-handed batsman retired injured after scoring 23 runs off 22 balls, including a boundary. He was then withdrawn from the final game as a precautionary measure.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical panel has received Rizwan’s scan report and contacted doctors in the UK for further opinions on his injury. The Pakistan cricket team and management are optimistic about the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman’s speedy recovery.
The latest reports suggest that Rizwan’s injury is serious and the medical panel is recommending a rest period of two to four weeks. This situation raises doubts about his availability for the upcoming tours and the 2024 T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the USA and West Indies.
Usman Khan is expected to take over the wicketkeeping responsibility for Pakistan in the fourth T20I against New Zealand in the absence of Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan also missed training on Tuesday due to his injury.
| series | Date | Venue | Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland vs Pakistan | 10th of May | Dublin | 7 p.m |
| 12th of May | Dublin | 7 p.m | |
| May 14th | Dublin | 7 p.m | |
| England vs Pakistan | May 22 | Leeds | 10:30 p.m |
| 25. May | Birmingham | 6:30 in the evening | |
| 28th of May | Cardiff | 10:30 p.m | |
| 30th May | The Oval, London | 10:30 p.m |
Rizwan achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 3,000 runs in T20I cricket, making him the second Pakistani player to achieve this feat.
He achieved this during a match against New Zealand on April 20, where he scored 45 runs off 34 balls. Babar Azam has scored over 3,700 runs in T20I cricket.
Also Read: PAK vs New Zealand: Shahid Afridi criticizes Babar Azam after Pakistan’s humiliating defeat against New Zealand