Tag: Mohammad Rizwan

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das has accused Pakistan batter Mohammad Rizwan of refusing a handshake during the Test series, calling his conduct ‘unprofessional’. 

Tensions flared between Das and Rizwan during the recently concluded two-match Test series. The pair were involved in a heated argument during the second Test in Sylhet.

The incident occurred in the 72nd of Pakistan’s innings, when Rizwan complained about someone near the sightscreen. Litton questioned Rizwan over the delay, which led to an argument before umpire Richard Kettleborough intervened to defuse the situation.

Now, Das has broken the silence on the matter, revealing that Rizwan snubbed the customary handshake during both Test matches.

“I didn’t like one thing. Whatever happens on the field, once the game is over, you shake hands with everyone. After we won the first Test, Rizwan didn’t come shake our hands. That’s just bad, no matter who you are or how big a player you are. Win or lose, it’s about respect,” he said during an event with a Bangladesh news outlet.

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Das noted that while Rizwan may have had an issue with him, he showed disrespect to the entire Bangladesh team by refusing to shake hands.

“He might have an issue with me, but the whole Bangladesh team didn’t do anything to him. What should we expect from him next time? He didn’t show respect to our team,” he added, recalling the second Test.

The 31-year-old also described Rizwan and Babar Azam as the pillars of Pakistan’s batting lineup and revealed that Bangladesh had specifically targeted the former.

“I knew only Babar and Rizwan could trouble us. Rizwan’s numbers against us are strong, and that stuck with me. Litton said.

“He’s a big deal in Pakistan, but something happened that I didn’t like. Ever since, I had a question mark about him. Plus, everyone knows Rizwan takes his time between balls. I was keeping wickets in that heat, and it was tough. So I decided to do something about it,” he concluded.

READ: India crush Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in one-off Test

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named 49 players for training camps at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), including the ace duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

The PCB revealed the names in a press release, confirming that players who featured in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia will feature in the red-ball camp from 15 June, which will continue until 15 July.

Of the 49 players selected, 22 have been named in the red-ball and 27 in the white-ball camp. The camps comprise a mix of experienced international cricketers and emerging domestic performers.

“The players who were part of the recently concluded ODI series against Australia and have been selected for the Red-Ball Camp will join the camp from 15 June,” the board said in a statement.

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“The NCA White-Ball Camp will commence on Monday, 15 June and continue until Friday, 18 September. Twenty-seven players will take part in the camp,” it added.

According to the board, the camps are designed to provide players with adequate preparation time for forthcoming international and domestic events. During the training period, players will fine-tune their skills under the supervision of national and NCA coaches, including one-on-one sessions.

In addition, PCB medical staff will monitor the players’ fitness and overall conditioning.

This will be the second occasion in recent months that the PCB has called up players for a training camp, with a similar camp having been held before the Bangladesh and Australia series.

22 Red-Ball Camp Players:

Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Abrar Ahmed, Ali Usman, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Awais Zafar, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Obaid Shah, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saqib Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shahzad Gul and Shan Masood

27 White-Ball Camp Players :

Abdul Samad, Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Daniyal, Akif Javed, Ali Raza, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Farhan Yousaf, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Khawaja Muhammad Nafay, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Rohail Nazir, Saad Baig, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Sameer Minhas, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed to be replaced by legendary batter as head coach: sources

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson explained the reason behind Mohammad Rizwan’s exclusion from the ODI series against Australia. 

Rizwan was omitted from the national squad following a lackluster performance against Bangladesh, managing only 54 in three matches at an average of 19.33.

Speaking to the media, Hesson highlighted the team’s performance in the past year and shed light on Mohammad Rizwan’s performance.

“There is confidence in our white-ball team. We have made real progress over the last 12 months,” he told reporters.

“When I arrived, Mohammad Rizwan was not part of the T20 squad, and he was certainly not the captain, so he has not been playing T20 cricket since I have been involved,” he added.

Hesson recalled the away series against the West Indies, noting that the team’s return of only two wins over the past year made the decision to change captaincy.

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“In terms of ODIs, Rizwan started as captain in the West Indies series, but we felt a change was needed at the end of that tour after winning only two matches in the past year. The team had not performed, and we assess both individual numbers and overall team performance when making decisions,” the coach revealed.

“You look at two things: you look at individual numbers, and you look at how you can maximise the team’s performance. So, we felt we wanted to make a change from the captaincy’s point of view,” Hesson clarified.

He said the idea behind bringing fresh faces was to explore more options, adding that the decision to drop Rizwan was made by the selection committee.

“We need to explore all available options from a team perspective, and that was the decision of the selection panel. We have had several series together and identified areas for improvement, as we do with every player.”

“In ODI cricket, we have multiple areas to work on. One key concern is our powerplay bowling and taking wickets early, which has been an area of weakness over the past 12 months. We are working to improve both the type of bowlers we use and our overall approach,” he concluded.

The three-match ODI series against Australia will begin on 30 May at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

READ: Iran to base FIFA World Cup 2026 camp in Mexico

LAHORE: Pakistan wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan is reportedly likely to miss selection for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, sources revealed on Thursday, as the national selectors weigh major changes in the white-ball setup.

The series is scheduled to begin on May 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with the remaining two matches to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and 4.

Pakistan have already been hit with injury setbacks ahead of the series, with openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman ruled out of the squad.

According to sources, the selection committee is working closely with head coach Mike Hesson and captain Shaheen Afridi to finalise the squad, with Rizwan’s place in the ODI side now looking increasingly uncertain.

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Reports further suggest that Hesson is not in favour of Rizwan’s inclusion in the ODI setup, indicating a possible strategic shift in Pakistan’s white-ball direction.

The wicketkeeper-batter is also reportedly not part of long-term plans for the ICC ODI World Cup 2027, scheduled in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Rizwan has represented Pakistan in 103 ODIs, scoring 2,979 runs at an average of 40.80, including four centuries and 19 half-centuries. Behind the stumps, he has taken 113 catches and effected seven stumpings.

Meanwhile, selectors are also assessing wicketkeeping options for the series. Ghazi Ghori, who made his ODI debut earlier this year as a specialist batter, is being considered for retention.

For the backup wicketkeeper role, the selectors are reportedly weighing options between Usman Khan, who has featured in two ODIs, and uncapped youngster Mirza Saad Baig.

READ: Is Shan Masood’s Test captaincy in danger after Bangladesh defeat?

SYLHET: Pakistan’s red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has come out in support of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan despite a disappointing all-round showing in the opening Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur.

Rizwan scored 59 and 15 in the match, which Pakistan lost by 104 runs, but struggled to make an impact in a game where Pakistan failed to complete a 268-run chase in the fourth innings.

Beyond the batting figures, Rizwan also had a difficult outing behind the stumps, with missed chances, dropped catches and a stumping opportunity going down, allowing Bangladesh to extend their advantage at crucial stages.

Addressing the media ahead of the second Test in Sylhet, Sarfaraz defended his senior wicketkeeper and expressed confidence in a strong response.

“Rizwan has been a brilliant wicket-keeper for Pakistan. Yes, he did not perform up to the mark, but these things happen in cricket,” Sarfaraz said.

“[As a former wicket-keeper] I also understand that when you play a format after a long time, these things often happen. But I am hopeful that in the next match, he will perform well for Pakistan with both his batting and wicketkeeping.”

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Interestingly, Sarfaraz Ahmed was also seen working closely with Mohammad Rizwan during training sessions, offering guidance and support to help him correct the mistakes from the previous Test.

The Pakistan head coach also reflected on his side’s disappointing performance in the first Test but stressed that the team remains focused on a response in the second match of the series.

“After the first Test we are very disappointed as a unit, but remain confident of a comeback in the next game,” he added.

Sarfaraz also addressed external criticism following Pakistan’s defeat, stating that the dressing room remains unaffected by outside noise.

“Criticism is nothing new for us when performances go wrong, and remarks from former players do not impact us,” he said.

“We are also not focused on social media talk; our attention is fully on the next match. I expect senior players to take responsibility, and we will have discussions after the game as planned.”

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed confirms Babar Azam’s availability for second Bangladesh Test

Rawalpindiz captain Mohammad Rizwan has revealed that he is consulting a player to address his form issues after a disappointing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 campaign.

The wicket-keeper batter addressed the media in the post-match press conference after Pindiz concluded their last fixture against Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Rizwan admitted that he has struggled for form and stressed that hard work is the only way to bounce back.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

“My form has not been good, but I do not believe in form. I believe more in hard work, and perhaps there has been some shortcoming in my effort,” he told reporters.

“I am the kind of person who, if my hard work and standards are not where they should be, I remain honest with myself and with Pakistan as well,” he added.

The 33-year-old called for more professionalism and awareness within the team, adding that he is working on his flaws through discussions with a fellow player.

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“Professionalism should come into our players, and awareness needs to improve. As far as I am concerned, I will do everything I can to overcome my shortcomings,” Rizwan continued.

“I am in touch with one player and keep speaking with him. When things become better, I will let you know which player it was,” he said.

Earlier on Sunday, Rawalpindiz dismal PSL 11 campaign ended with an 108-run thrashing at the hands of the Hyderabad Kingsmen. The win propelled Kingsmen into the playoffs.

Kingsmen piled up a massive 244 in their 20 overs before bundling them out for 136 in 17.1 overs, marking their ninth loss in 10 matches.

Mohammad Rizwan also endured a poor run, managing only 204 runs from 10 matches at a meager average of 20.40 without a single half-century.

READ: Hyderabad Kingsmen knock Lahore Qalandars out of PSL 11 with big win

KARACHI: Rawalpindiz captain Mohammad Rizwan has vowed to overcome shortcomings after suffering fifth consecutive defeat in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11. 

Quetta Gladiators 61-run victory on Friday night kept Mohammad Rizwan’s side winless in the tournament.

The skipper highlighted the shortcomings in the post-match presentation, stating that his side is working on weaknesses

“We certainly recognize the need for change; it’s clear that adjustments are required to get us back on track. We’ve had our share of struggles, but we are actively working to overcome them,” he said.

“We brought in Ben Sears specifically to strengthen our death-bowling options and included Usman Khawaja to bolster the lineup. There have been ups and downs, and we are constantly trying to fix those gaps,” the skipper explained.

Catch all the PSL 11 updates here!

He credited Hassan Nawaz and Jahandad Khan for their impressive batting that helped Quetta Gladiators reach a winning total.

“On this pitch, we felt we were restricting them well to around 140 or 150, but Hasan Nawaz and Jahandad deserve a lot of credit—they took the score from 150 to 180, which was a bit excessive for these conditions.”

The right-hander has struggled in the ongoing tournament with 83 runs in five matches at an average of 16.60.

“Regarding my personal form, I know how important it is to maintain self-belief. I realize that if I don’t lead from the front, the team will struggle, the 33-year-old maintained.

“I am working hard on my shortcomings and putting in the effort; I believe in showing courage and working hard, leaving the ultimate results in the hands of the Almighty. It is a tough period right now, but I am committed to fighting through it,” he continued.

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He expressed confidence despite losing five games on the trot, noting that they will bounce back in the upcoming games.

“The message in the dressing room is that in this sport, players are exposed to failure 60% of the time. We have to meet that reality with energy and bravery.”

“I truly believe that if we play the next five games to the best of our potential, the results will follow. It’s all about taking our courage to that next level and staying united as a group,” he concluded.

READ: Jahandad Khan reflects on all-round display against Rawalpindiz

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has defended the selection of young wicket-keeper Ghazi Ghori in the national squad for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh.

Rizwan shared his views during a media talk on the sidelines of Pakistan’s training camp in Karachi.

Notably, Ghazi Ghori is among six uncapped players included in Pakistan’s ODI squad for the Bangladesh tour. The other uncapped ODI players are Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.

However, Ghori’s inclusion sparked debate among fans and former cricketers on social media due to his limited domestic experience.

Ghori, who featured in two matches for Islamabad United last year, has played just 17 List A matches, averaging slightly above 20 with a strike rate below 80 in the format.

Despite the scrutiny, Rizwan insisted that the youngster deserved the opportunity.

“Ghazi has come into the team on the basis of performance. Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” Rizwan said.

The senior wicket-keeper also emphasised that Pakistan should welcome the emergence of multiple wicketkeeping options, saying it could ultimately benefit the national team.

“Right now, Ghazi is in the squad, but if you look at the past, many wicketkeepers have been performing. It’s good if more keepers come through the system because Pakistan might finally find what it has been searching for,” he added.

The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to be played from March 11 to 15, with all fixtures set to take place at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

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Mohammad Rizwan also warned against underestimating Bangladesh in their home conditions.

“On paper, the series may look easy, but Bangladesh are a tough side in their own conditions. The pitches there suit them,” he said, adding that Pakistan still have players in the squad who possess experience of playing in those conditions.

When asked about the exclusion of several senior players from the squad, Rizwan said the selection committee was better placed to explain those decisions.

“If I had been part of the selection meeting, I could have told you why certain players were left out,” he remarked.

Rizwan further highlighted the importance of the captain’s role in team-building, stating that leadership input should carry weight in decision-making.

“If the selection committee or head coach does not listen to the captain, then that person should not be captain,” he said. “The captain has to lead the team on the field, so his opinion must matter.”

The wicketkeeper-batter also spoke about the pressure in modern cricket, stressing the need for greater professionalism within Pakistan cricket.

“Pressure exists at every level of cricket, whether club, domestic or international. We need awareness and professionalism because other teams are ahead of us and they handle pressure better,” he said.

Rizwan was also asked about reports claiming that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had imposed a fine of Rs5 million on each player following the team’s disappointing campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

However, he declined to comment on the matter, saying the board had not yet made any official announcement.

“Many people and sections of the media have spoken about it, but until the PCB makes an official statement, I cannot say anything about the alleged fine,” Rizwan concluded.

READ: West Indies, England, South Africa set to depart India on charter flights

KANDY: Opening batter Fakhar Zaman on Saturday broke Mohammad Rizwan’s record for the most sixes by a Pakistan batter during the Super Eight clash against Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Fakhar surpassed Mohammad Rizwan’s previous record of 95 sixes with a towering hit off spinner Maheesh Theekshana in the third over of Pakistan’s innings.

The clean strike not only shifted early momentum but also etched Fakhar’s name at the top of Pakistan’s six-hitting charts in T20 internationals.

Promoted to open the batting, Fakhar laid a monumental 176-run foundation with Sahibzada Farhan.

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Both batters kept Sri Lankan bowlers at bay, powering Pakistan in a dominant position.

Fakhar Zaman was eventually dismissed after scoring 84 from 42 balls with the aid of four sixes and nine fours.

At the time of filing this story, Pakistan were 179-2 in 16.4 overs.

Most sixes for Pakistan in T20Is

Fakhar Zaman — Matches: 120 | Sixes: 99

Mohammad Rizwan — Matches: 106 | Sixes: 95

Babar Azam — Matches: 145 | Sixes: 80

Mohammad Hafeez — Matches: 119 | Sixes: 76

Shahid Afridi — Matches: 98 | Sixes: 73

READ: Farhan breaks Kohli’s long-standing T20 World Cup record

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the base prices of players registered for the highly anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11 player auction.

The landmark auction is scheduled to take place on February 11, with a total of 879 local and overseas cricketers from across the cricketing world signing up.

The pool includes players from Afghanistan, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, England and Sri Lanka, with base prices ranging from PKR 60 lakh to PKR 4.2 crore.

Several high-profile international stars have entered the top base price bracket of PKR 4.2 crore.

The list features Afghanistan’s Fazal Haq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Australia’s David Warner, and New Zealand all-rounders Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell.

South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw, England’s James Vince and Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka have also placed themselves in the highest category.

Among Pakistan players, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Amir, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman and Faheem Ashraf headline the top-tier bracket, underlining the strong local presence in the auction.

The second-highest base price category begins at PKR 2.2 crore and includes notable names such as Australia’s Usman Khawaja and Peter Siddle, New Zealand’s Colin Munro, England’s Jason Roy and South Africa veteran Imran Tahir.

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Pakistan representatives in this category include Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saud Shakeel and Shan Masood.

You can find the complete list of players along with their base prices by clicking here.

Under the new auction model, each franchise has been allocated a purse of PKR 450 million to build their squads, along with an additional PKR 55 million reserved for direct signings.

All franchises, including the newly-added Hyderabad and Sialkot Stallionz, have already confirmed their retentions and direct signings ahead of the auction.

However, Peshawar Zalmi were dealt a setback after their direct signing Rahmanullah Gurbaz withdrew from the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, Multan Sultans remain in a unique position heading into the auction. The franchise, currently without an owner, will enter the bidding process with a full purse after retaining no players and making no direct signings.

Notably, the Multan franchise is scheduled to be sold through a separate auction in Lahore on February 9, just two days before the PSL 11 player auction.

READ: ICC delegation to meet Mohsin Naqvi to break India-Pakistan deadlock: sources