Tag: Mohammad Rizwan

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan on Thursday joined an elusive list after crossing the 150-run mark on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh here at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

Rizwan reached the milestone during the 104th over, bowled by Shoriful Islam, on the 214th ball of his innings with the help of nine boundaries and three sixes.

The 32-year-old joined the elite group of Pakistani wicketkeepers who crossed the 150-run mark in Test cricket, which includes Imtiaz Ahmed, Taslim Arif, Rashid Latif, and Kamran Akmal.

This marks the first time since 2009 that a wicketkeeper-batsman from Pakistan has scored 150 runs in a single Test match.

Mohammad Rizwan started day two with 24 runs, however, he and Saud Shakeel dominated two sessions with a 240-run stand before Mehidy Hasan Miraz removed the latter.

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Shakeel went back to the pavillion after playing a solid knock of 140 runs from 261 balls, which featured nine boundaries.

Meanwhile, Rizwan continued to show his batting prowess and as of this writing, he is unbeaten at 171 off 239 balls.

Notably, the two-match series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) and will run from August 21 to September 4 with both matches to be played at the same venue.

Pakistan are currently ranked sixth in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. They have played two away series in the championship, winning 2-0 against Sri Lanka and losing 3-0 to Australia.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Ali.

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana

READ: England reveal schedule of 2025 home international season

DUBAI: Pakistan’s wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan and right-arm pacer Naseem Shah made notable strides in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Rankings, updated Wednesday.

South Africa’s Test captain Temba Bavuma, who scored 85 and 16 in the first Test against West Indies, slipped four places down to the 20th, after a disappointing outing in the second Test.

Bavuma perished for a duck in the first innings of the Providence Test and could score just four in the second which saw him losing his spot in the Test Batting Rankings.

As a result, England’s Ben Duckett, Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan, India’s Shubman Gill and England’s Zak Crawley all jumped a place and occupied 16th to 19th rank respectively.

South Africa’s opener Aiden Markam and wicketkeeper batter Kyle Verreynne got the reward of their half-centuries. Markram jumped up two places to 21st while Verreynne surged from 62nd to 46th.

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In the ICC Test Bowling Rankings, West Indies’ pacer Jayden Seales jumped up 13 places to achieve career-best ranking of 13th.

Seales took nine wickets in West Indies’ 40-run loss against South Africa in the Test.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder, who was adjudged the Player of the Match in the second Test against West Indies for his 4/32 and 2/35 advanced 27 places to 65th.

West Indies bowlers also made strides in the Test Bowling Rankings as Shamar Joseph climbed 11 spots to 54th while Jomel Warrican (52nd) and Gudakesh Motie (64th) jumped two spots each.

However, West Indies all-rounder Kyle Mayers slipped a place and was consequently replaced by Naseem Shah, who claimed the 37th spot.

READ: Saim Ayub lifts Pakistan after Bangladesh bowlers inflict early damage

Pakistan’s newly-appointed Test coach Jason Gillespie backed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) stance to ensure the workload management of the all-format players.

Earlier, the cricketing body denied the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Naseem Shah for the Hundred and also to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the Global T20 Canada 2024.

Meanwhile, Gillespie, in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo, said that the centrally contracted players are compensated well and thus the management has the right to instruct the players to rest, considering their availability for the national team.

“Players are centrally contracted and getting compensated really well. We have the right to be able to say, ‘Look, in this situation, we need you to rest or have some downtime to give your body and mind a break, be ready for the next challenge for Pakistan’” Gillespie said.

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Jason Gillespie, however, acknowledged the importance of the franchise leagues for the players to get exposure but if that participation impacts a player’s readiness for national duty then a discussion and a decision would be essential.

“We want players to go and play in these leagues and have these great experiences. But if we believe it’s going to be to the detriment of representing Pakistan in an upcoming series, then we’ll have a discussion and have a decision to make.

“These are honest and difficult conversations. Ultimately, we’re tasked with doing what’s right by Pakistan cricket.”

“If being honest is telling a player something they might not want to hear, well, then I’m willing to do that. I want to help them be the best player and person they can be.”

It is worth mentioning here that the Pakistan men’s team will embark on a busy international calendar 2024-25 with a two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to take place from August 21 to September 3.

READ: Shoaib Malik wants India to visit Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025

Vancouver Knights have announced replacements for Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan for the ongoing Global T20 (GT20) Canada 2024.

Pakistan’s most reliable batting duo was scheduled to represent Vancouver Knights in the GT20 Canada 2024, however, they failed to secure the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

According to the cricketing body, the three all-format players were denied NOCs, in light of Pakistan’s busy and packed cricket calendar in the period from August 2024 to March 2025 which includes ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“The PCB had received NOC requests from Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi for the Global T20 event, amongst other players,” stated PCB.

“The three are all-format cricketers and their services are expected to be required in the upcoming eight months during which Pakistan will play nine Tests, 14 ODIs, and nine T20Is.

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“As such, and in line with the PCB’s workload management policy, it is in the best interest of Pakistan cricket and the players that they skip the upcoming event in Canada so that they are in their best mental and physical shape for the season, which commences with the two-Test series against Bangladesh.”

The announcement rained on the Knights’ parade as Mohammad Rizwan was set to lead the side, while Babar Azam was a major cog in their batting unit.

But they were forced to replace the duo, roping in South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks for Babar, while Australian top-order batter Usman Khawaja replaced Rizwan.

Khawaja led the Vancouver Knights in the GT20 Canada 2024 opener against the Toronto Nationals.

While batting first, the Knights were bowled out for a meagre 110, thanks to Junaid Siddiqui’s four-fer. Toronto Nationals’ captain Colin Munro led his side to a comfortable victory with a 44-run knock.

READ: Former Pakistan cricketer calls Harbhajan Singh “hypocrite”

Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh slammed a Pakistani sports commentator for drawing a comparison between Mohammad Rizwan with former India captain MS Dhoni.

In a post on X, Farid Khan, asked his followers to draw a comparison of Rizwan with Dhoni to decide who is better.

Sharing a collage of the two cricketers, he wrote, “MS Dhoni or Mohammad Rizwan” Who is better? Tell me honestly.”

However, Harbhajan Singh who played under the captaincy of Dhoni, was irked by the post and blasted Farid Khan for attempting to compare the two cricketers.

“What r u smoking nowadays ???? What a silly question to ask . Bhaiyo isko batao . DHONI bhut aage hai RIZWAN se (Tell him that Dhoni is far ahead of Rizwan) Even if u will ask Rizwan he will give u an honest answer for this,” Singh wrote in a reply to the X post.

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While the former Indian spin bowler appreciated the talent of Mohammad Rizwan, saying that the Pakistani wicketkeeping batter always plays with intent, Singh was against a comparison between the two players.

“DHONI no 1 even today in world cricket. None better thn him behind stumps,” wrote Harbhajan Sing in reply.

It is pertinent to mention that Dhoni led India to victory in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup 2007 in South Africa. He also led the team that won the ODI World Cup trophy in 2011 in India.

In 2013, he became the first-ever captain to have won all ICC trophies after guiding India to a Champions Trophy 2013 victory in England.

Pakistan’s wicketkeeping batter Mohammad Rizwan has over 5,000 runs in international cricket, averaging above 40 across all formats.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided against issuing the No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi to participate in the Global T20 (GT20) Canada 2024.

According to the cricketing body, the three all-format players were denied NOCs, in light of Pakistan’s busy and packed cricket calendar in the period from August 2024 to March 2025 which includes ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

“The PCB had received NOC requests from Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi for the Global T20 event, amongst other players. After taking into consideration Pakistan’s busy and packed cricket calendar in the period from August 2024 to March 2025, which includes nine ICC World Test Championship matches and next year’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and following consultations with the three players as well as the national selection committee, it has been decided to decline their requests,” stated PCB.

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“The three are all-format cricketers and their services are expected to be required in the upcoming eight months during which Pakistan will play nine Tests, 14 ODIs, and nine T20Is.

“As such, and in line with the PCB’s workload management policy, it is in the best interest of Pakistan cricket and the players that they skip the upcoming event in Canada so that they are in their best mental and physical shape for the season, which commences with the two-Test series against Bangladesh.”

Earlier, the PCB had also declined permission to Naseem Shah for The Hundred on the same grounds.

However, the PCB has approved NOCs for Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir, and Mohammad Nawaz as the four players are predominantly white-ball cricketers, while Iftikhar and Nawaz are centrally contracted players.

READ: GT20 Canada awaits approval from ICC for upcoming edition

Former Pakistan captains will resolve the alleged dispute between Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam, wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan and ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, sources claimed Saturday.

According to the sources, the former captains contacted all three senior members of the Pakistan Men’s Cricket Team and extended an offer to mediate between them.

Details further suggested that a meeting involving Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi would be held at a former captain’s residence upon the pacer’s return to the country.

For the unversed, Shaheen has been in hot water lately after reports emerged that the left-arm pacer was involved in a heated argument with batting coach Mohammad Yousuf during Pakistan’s tour to Ireland and England ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Sources asserted that the incident occurred during Pakistan’s net practice at Headingley when Shaheen engaged in a verbal exchange with the former batter.

The batting coach pointed towards Shaheen Afridi’s continuous no-balls in the nets, they added.

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However, the pacer got furious and told Mohammad Yousuf to let him practice and not intervene in his bowling.

According to sources, Shaheen later apologised to the batting coach while the team management also reprimanded him for his misconduct.

However, the incident was termed the heat of the moment and the chapter was closed after Shaheen Afridi apologised to Mohammad Yousuf.

The left-arm pacer then posted a cryptic message amid reports regarding his altercation with coaches.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Shaheen shared a video of himself bowling in nets with the caption reading, “Rise Above” with an eagle emoji.

It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) axed former pacer Wahab Riaz from the position of senior team manager and as a member of the selection committee after Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024.

Former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq was also sacked from the PCB selection committee.

READ: PCB denies NOC to Naseem Shah for The Hundred – reports

Former Pakistan pacer Sarfaraz Nawaz has suggested wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan for the national team’s white-ball captaincy.

While talking to a local news outlet, the former fast bowler threw his weight behind Rizwan, who led Multan Sultans to three consecutive PSL finals.

“[Mohammad] Rizwan has proved his captaincy credentials by helping KPK win all domestic events in the past while his performance as Multan Sultans’ captain has been consistent over the years. He is the best choice for the job. Babar Azam is low in confidence and should not be considered for the job,” he stated.

For the unversed, Pakistan’s current white-ball captain Babar Azam has been under hot water following the national men’s team’s early exit from the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024.

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Sarfaraz Nawaz also commented on the recent decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to remove former players Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the national selection committee, while suggesting major changes to improve the selection process.

“The selection committee has worked collectively as was apparent during the pre-World Cup press conference with every member admitting that the team was constituted after consensus,” said the former player.

“Every member of the committee was responsible for the selection, so all should be sacked. The entire selection committee was incapable of delivering.

“Major surgery is required if at all we want to put the system on the right track. There should be a three-member selection committee and the mere sacking of Wahab and Abdul Razzaq would not be enough.”

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Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has criticised the national team’s white-ball captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan for their batting approach in T20I cricket.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been a mainstay of Pakistan’s top order in the shorter format, however, they often criticised for their strike rates, especially in the powerplay

Rashid Latif, while talking on his YouTube channel, urged Babar and Rizwan to follow the examples of Indian captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli, who recently guided their team to the T20 World Cup glory.

“I would give examples of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to show how they changed themselves. Rohit has changed himself 190 degrees; change is possible because he has become a role model. His IPL strike rate used to be 130-140, but this year it went up to 160. He changed himself. Virat Kohli did the same thing. If these two batters can change, then anyone can,” stated Latif.

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The former captain suggested that Pakistan batters should be given a specific time period to change their batting approach, otherwise they should be dropped.

“I would give Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan 5 matches to change their batting approach in T20Is, and if they won’t, then there should be no place in the team for them,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention that the Babar Azam-led Pakistan team were knocked out from the group stage of the T20 World Cup, majorly because of their upset defeat against the USA, followed by a gut-wrenching defeat against arch-rivals India.

The back-to-back defeats had put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit from the tournament while the abandonment of the crucial group-stage fixture between the USA and Ireland officially marked the end of their campaign in T20 World Cup 2024.

READ: PCB chairman opens up on Babar Azam’s future as captain

PESHAWAR: Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan on Tuesday, finally broke silence on the ongoing criticism aimed at the national men’s cricket team following their dismal run at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Rizwan, while speaking to the media here, acknowledged that the team’s performance was far below expectations and also said the criticism national players are facing is “justified”.

“The criticism team is facing is justified and we deserve this since we didn’t perform in accordance with expectations. Players who can’t face criticism won’t be able to succeed,” Rizwan said.

The top-order batter also shared that the team itself is disappointed with the outcome.

“We are disappointed with our performance in T20 World Cup. There are multiple reasons behind our losses. When a team loses, one can’t say that bowling and batting is doing well,” stated Rizwan.

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Mohammad Rizwan also reacted to the reports regarding a “major surgery” of the national men’s team following their dismal run at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“Operations are a normal thing. When a person is ill, operation is necessary,” Rizwan said.

“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 concluded.

 

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It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan team is in hot water following their dismal run in the T20 World Cup 2024.

The 2009 champions, in a first, were knocked out from the group stage of the tournament, majorly because of their upset defeat against the USA, followed by a gut-wrenching defeat against arch-rivals India.

The back-to-back defeats had put Pakistan on the verge of an early exit from the tournament while the abandonment of the crucial group-stage fixture between USA and Ireland officially marked the end of their campaign in T20 World Cup 2024.

READ: Shaheen Afridi reacts to national team’s “surgery” reports