Mohammad Rizwan defended his top-order’s inability to go against Hong Kong in Sharjah on Friday, September 2, saying the ball looked like a slow pitch. Pakistan scored 64 for 1 at the end of the first 10 overs after Hong Kong won the toss and bowled for their victory in the Group A match of the Asia Cup 2022.
Mohammad Rizwan was batting on 31 and No 3 Fakhar Zaman was batting on 21 off 22 balls as Pakistan looked to reach the bottom total. In the third over of off-spinner Ehsan Khan, Babar Azam was caught and made trouble for the former champion.
Although, Pakistan finished with 193 runs On the board at the end of 20 overs, 129 runs in their last 10 overs. It was Fakhar Zaman who provided Pakistan the much-needed injection of momentum.
Fakhar hit 2 sixes and 3 fours in his 41-ball 53 as he and Rizwan added 116 runs for the second wicket. Although Ehsan dismissed Fakhar in the 17th over, Rizwan went ahead and remained unbeaten on 78 off 57 balls. Rizwan hit only 1 six and 6 fours but he ensured that Pakistan kept control of their innings on the difficult pitch.
Khushdil Shah provided a late blitz for Pakistan as he hit 5 sixes including 4 in 29 off the last over, scoring 35 off just 15 balls.
“The most important thing for us is to adjust to the conditions in T20 cricket as well. The ball was short. We tried to hit but it was not going to stop. Then we charged keeping the ball short. did.” Rizwan spoke about Pakistan’s stand during their innings against Hong Kong.
Despite their record 155-run win over Hong Kong, questions were raised on Pakistan’s attitude as their activism or lack thereof in the first 10 overs is seen as a cause for concern.
believe in hard work
Furthermore, Rizwan, while highlighting his long-standing success in T20I cricket, said that he is focused on batting as per the needs of the team and adapting to the conditions quickly.
Rizwan is the leading run-scorer in the Asia Cup 2022 with 121 runs from 2 matches at the end of the group stage. Rizwan ended 2021 with 1,326 runs in T20I cricket and also became the first man to score 2,000 runs in T20Is in a calendar year.
“I believe in hard work… being a senior player you have to take responsibility. You have to play according to the team, and there will be pressure,” he said.
Pakistan bowled out Hong Kong for 38, the lowest score in Asia Cup T20 history, to set up a rematch with India in Dubai on Sunday. The much-awaited match will also be the first game for the arch rivals in the Super Four.
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