Tag: Mohammad Rizwan

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter and ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan has recently been subject to sharp criticism from Test cricketer Umar Akmal.

Akmal believes the Multan Sultans skipper needs to evolve his game and mindset if he hopes to stage a meaningful comeback at the international level.

Speaking on a local TV channel, Akmal expressed concern over Rizwan’s approach in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, suggesting that the right-hander appeared more focused on personal milestones than team success.

“It looks like [Mohammad] Rizwan is playing for a comeback. That’s not how comebacks happen,” Umar Akmal remarked.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Even if he scores just 20 runs, the team should win. If the team wins, selectors will automatically recognise his contributions.”

Akmal emphasised that selfless performances — those that directly contribute to victories — are what truly strengthen a player’s case for national selection.

“You cannot make a successful comeback by playing only for yourself,” he reiterated, underlining the importance of impact over individual stats.

Umar Akmal also urged Rizwan to improve his strike rate, warning that his place in the ODI setup could come under scrutiny if his current approach persists.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

“Even as captain, if Rizwan underperforms in one or two series, it will become very difficult for him moving forward,” Akmal added.

Critiquing the overall mindset of Pakistan’s limited-overs cricket, Akmal stressed the need to embrace modern-day aggression and set higher scoring benchmarks.

“In today’s cricket, aiming for just 200 or 250 isn’t enough. That era is gone. Unless teams score 350 in ODIs, they aren’t secure. Big totals are now essential to stay competitive,” he concluded.

READ: Islamabad United face major setback ahead of clash against Quetta Gladiators

LAHORE: Mohammad Rizwan, the captain of the Multan Sultans and the Pakistan ODI team, has expressed his views on the ongoing conflict between Pakistan and India amid calls to sever cricketing ties.

The tensions between the two Asian countries escalated in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

While speaking during the post-match conference, Rizwan expressed a diplomatic stance regarding the ongoing tensions between Pakistan and India.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Mohammad Rizwan highlighted that when he meets top players like Virat Kohli, they interact like brothers. He also said that politics should not be involved in sports.

“Firstly, I don’t know what’s happening between the two countries because I don’t have time to use social media,” he said.

“Secondly, whenever I meet our cricketing family, which features top players like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root, we meet like brothers and learn a lot from each other. I’ll just say that politics should not be brought into sport,” he added.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

A few days earlier, Rajeev Shukla, the Vice President of the BCCI, and former India captain Sourav Ganguly, called for cutting ties with Pakistan, stating that India should not play any bilateral cricket matches with Pakistan.

It is worth mentioning that India and Pakistan have not played any bilateral series since 2013. Meanwhile, both teams have frequently faced each other in the ICC and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) events.

Looking ahead, the next ICC event isn’t until the Women’s ODI World Cup in September-October 2025, which India is set to host.

The tournament will follow a round-robin format featuring eight teams — including Pakistan — meaning each team will play every other side, rendering group-based separation irrelevant.

Although India is hosting the tournament, the matches involving Pakistan will take place at a neutral venue. Currently, no decision has been made regarding the locations of Pakistan’s fixtures.

READ: Irfan Khan hails team combination after emphatic win over Multan Sultans

LAHORE: Multan Sultans captain Mohammad Rizwan has highlighted the team’s shortcomings after they were eliminated from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

Chasing a daunting 205-run target, Multan Sultans crumbled under the pressure and were bowled out for a mere 117 in 16.1 overs in the 20th match of PSL 10 here at Gaddafi Stadium.

The Sultans’ seventh loss in the season also ended their hopes of qualifying for the Playoffs.

While speaking during the post-match press conference, Rizwan reflected on the side’s struggles throughout the tournament, their misreading of conditions.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“We picked our squad based on the conditions,” he explained. “But unfortunately, the conditions didn’t go in our favour.”

Mohammad Rizwan revealed that when they arrived at Gaddafi Stadium, they found more grass on the pitch than expected, which disrupted their plans.

“We’re not the only ones — other teams have also struggled here,” he added.

Despite the setbacks, Rizwan made it clear he wasn’t offering excuses.

“I don’t want to make any excuse for the defeat. We played badly and we’re out of the tournament today,” he said.

Despite the setback, Mohammad Rizwan remains optimistic that the two remaining matches could help the team regain some pride.

“We still have two games to correct our mistakes,” Rizwan remarked.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Rizwan also stressed his belief in earning victories through performance alone.

“I like to win on the strength of our own game. Depending on others doesn’t feel right,” he said.

Reflecting on Multan Sultans’ journey in PSL 10, he reminded reporters that the same core team had performed consistently well over the last four seasons.

“Everyone knows what we’ve gone through this season,” he said, hinting at internal challenges. Our fielding hasn’t been good throughout the tournament,” he admitted.

READ: Nabi, Vince star as Karachi Kings knock Multan Sultans out of PSL 10

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has recently commented on the ongoing criticism surrounding the strike rates of Pakistan’s top-order batters, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, particularly in T20 cricket.

Both Babar and Rizwan have often come under scrutiny for their relatively low strike rates during the early stages of their innings.

However, Williamson, known for his calm and measured approach to batting, offered a balanced perspective on the issue, stressing the importance of understanding one’s role within the team.

In an exclusive interview with a local sports outlet, Williamson explained that T20 cricket is all about adapting to what the team needs to win, rather than focusing solely on personal strike rates.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

“It’s all about what the team requires and trying to win games for your team,” he said.

Drawing from his own experiences in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where team strategies and pitch conditions can vary significantly, Kane Williamson highlighted the adaptability needed in T20 cricket.

“As we’ve seen in the PSL, we’ve seen scores of 230, but we’ve also seen scores around 140 and 130. You have to be adaptable, and whoever you are, your role for the team is to contribute to the best performance possible,” he added.

“Sometimes it’s about scoring quickly, and other times it’s about steady accumulation — as long as it’s aimed at helping your team win.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The Kiwi batter also praised Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam, expressing his admiration for the elegant right-hander.

“I’ve only been here for a couple of days, so I’m still enjoying watching everybody play. But having faced Pakistan frequently over the years, I’ve always enjoyed watching Babar bat,” Williamson said.

“He’s an amazing player, and a beautiful player to watch,” he continued. “He’s one that I’ve always enjoyed,” Williamson added, highlighting the respect he has for Babar’s technical skills and overall composure at the crease.

READ: Inter Miami’s unbeaten MLS run ends after FC Dallas comeback

Multan Sultans captain Mohammad Rizwan has been fined for breaching the code of conduct during his side’s defeat against Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 10 on Wednesday.

Mohammad Rizwan, along with Islamabad United’s Colin Munro, was fined 30 per cent of their match fees for committing a Level 2 offense under Article 2.13 of the HBL PSL Code of Conduct, which relates to Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.

The incident occurred during the 10th over of Islamabad United’s run chase when left-handed batter Munro gestured towards the bowler Iftikhar Ahmed. In turn, Rizwan got involved in an argument with the batter.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Both players pleaded guilty to the charges and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Ali Naqvi. The charges were imposed by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Chris Brown.

Chasing a below-par score of 169, Islamabad United comfortably reached the target, losing just three wickets with 17 balls to spare at Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night.

Islamabad United were off to a flying start in pursuit of the target, posting 29 in 2.4 overs, before Sahibzada Farhan’s wicket.

Farhan led the United charge with an enterprising 22 off 13 balls, laced with three fours and a six. He scored 16 runs in Bracewell’s second over, setting an early tone for the chase.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

After the wicket, Multan Sultans sensed an opportunity to restrict the Islamabad United batters; however, incoming batter Colin Munro, alongside Andries Gous, built an 81-run partnership, elevating United to 110 runs in 10.4 overs.

Munro was eventually removed for a brilliant 45 off 28 deliveries, smashing five fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, Gous remained firm, reaching his maiden PSL half-century.

Gous formed another 55-run partnership with Mohammad Nawaz, eclipsing United’s dominance in the tournament. The right-hander remained unbeaten and took his team over the line. The opener struck six fours and five towering sixes in his blazing knock.

For Multan Sultans, Ubaid Shah, Chris Jordan, and Michael Bracewell took one wicket each.

READ: West Indies legend reflects on Babar Azam’s ‘King’ tag amid poor form

MULTAN: Mohammad Rizwan, Multan Sultans captain, opened up after the defeat to Islamabad United in the 13th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

Chasing a below-par score of 169, Islamabad United comfortably reached the target, losing just three wickets with 17 balls to spare at Multan Cricket Stadium on Wednesday night.

Islamabad United were off to a flying start in pursuit of the target, posting 29 in 2.4 overs, before Sahibzada Farhan’s wicket.

Farhan led the United charge with an enterprising 22 off 13 balls, laced with three fours and a six. He scored 16 runs in Bracewell’s second over, setting an early tone for the chase.

After the wicket, Multan Sultans sensed an opportunity to restrict the Islamabad United batters; however, incoming batter Colin Munro, alongside Andries Gous, built an 81-run partnership, elevating United to 110 runs in 10.4 overs.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Munro was eventually removed for a brilliant 45 off 28 deliveries, smashing five fours and two sixes. Meanwhile, Gous remained firm, reaching his maiden PSL half-century.

Gous formed another 55-run partnership with Mohammad Nawaz, eclipsing United’s dominance in the tournament. Nawaz was dismissed on the penultimate ball of the 16th over after scoring a 19-ball 21 just when United needed four runs for the victory.

Nonetheless, Gous remained unbeaten and took his team over the line. The opener struck six fours and five towering sixes in his blazing knock.

For Multan Sultans, Ubaid Shah, Chris Jordan, and Michael Bracewell took one wicket each.

While speaking during the post-match presentation, Rizwan asserted that Multan Sultans were 20 runs short in the first innings.

“I think we were about 20 runs short today. Our target was somewhere around 180+ on this pitch. In the second innings, the ball was coming onto the bat quite nicely, which made things tougher for our bowlers,” he said.

Rizwan highlighted concerns in Multan Sultans’ bowling attack while praising Islamabad United for their disciplined performance.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

“Our powerplay bowling has been a bit of a concern. Credit to Islamabad United—they bowled really well up front and that’s an area we need to learn from, ” he remarked.

Mohammad Rizwan expressed optimism about the upcoming matches, recalling their previous title-winning campaign.

“The team environment is still positive, and we’re fully aware that every game from here is a must-win. If you look back at our title-winning campaign, we also lost the first three matches. So, let’s see what happens—we’re staying hopeful and focused,” he concluded.

READ: Islamabad United thrash Multan Sultans for fifth straight win in PSL 10

Multan Sultans captain Mohammad Rizwan explained why he did not keep wickets during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 match against Lahore Qalandars on Tuesday.

Under Rizwan’s leadership, the Multan Sultans successfully defended a target of 229 runs in front of their home crowd, marking their first victory in the ongoing tournament.

Interestingly, the captain positioned himself in the outfield and handed the wicketkeeping gloves to Usman Khan.

During the post-match presentation, Mohammad Rizwan explained that it was a tactical decision aimed at providing strong support to his young bowlers.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

“Our bowlers are mostly newcomers to the PSL, and that inexperience can be challenging,” he said. “That’s why I decided not to keep wickets today.”

“It gave me a better chance to guide them on the field. I’ve been doing that for the past couple of years, and it really helps build confidence and control in the game.”

Multan Sultans, under the leadership of Mohammad Rizwan, stepped onto the pitch yesterday carrying the weight of three consecutive defeats in the ongoing tournament.

Determined to turn their fortunes around, they amassed a formidable total of 228 runs for the loss of 5 wickets while batting first.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Yasir Khan stole the show with a sensational innings, blasting 87 runs off just 44 balls, including six glorious boundaries and an equal number of towering sixes.

In response, the Lahore Qalandars struggled to find their footing, ultimately finishing at 195 runs for 9 wickets.

Their innings saw a valiant effort from Sikandar Raza, who remained unbeaten with a spirited 50 runs off 27 balls.

However, the real star of the show for the Sultans was Ubaid Shah, who wreaked havoc on the Qalandars’ batting lineup, claiming three wickets for 37 runs.

Multan Sultans will face defending champions Islamabad United at the same venue later today.

READ: Mehidy Hasan’s heroics in vain as Zimbabwe edge past Bangladesh

Multan Sultans captain Mohammad Rizwan remains hopeful for a turnaround in Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, highlighting the importance of strong performances on their home ground.

Multan Sultans, who have not yet won a game in PSL 10, will face Lahore Qalandars at Multan Cricket Stadium tomorrow. They will then play against the defending champions, Islamabad United, on April 23.

While speaking to the media ahead of the match, Rizwan said he was optimistic about their next two home matches.

“It’s great that our next two matches are in Multan, in front of our fans. But to get the desired outcomes, we’ll need to play good cricket,” Rizwan said.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

Reflecting on the team’s recent performances, Mohammad Rizwan acknowledged there were positives but highlighted fielding as a major concern.

“There were positives in all three of our previous matches, but we have to focus on our fielding — that’s where we’ve let games slip away.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“If we get our fielding right, the entire tournament can go our way,” he added.

The right-hander mentioned the unpredictable nature of the tournament and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back.

“This is a big tournament — you never know until the very end which teams will qualify or go out. But once we build momentum, we’ll climb the table, ” he said.

While addressing his personal form, Mohammad Rizwan said he was satisfied with his performance so far.

“What’s gone is gone. Every day is a new day. The next match is what matters. There were good and bad moments in past games, but overall, I’m satisfied with my performance,” Mohammad Rizwan concluded.

Despite the defeats of Multan Sultans, Mohammad Rizwan has remained in top form, scoring 158 runs in three matches, including a century.

READ: WATCH: New Zealand all-rounder Mark Chapman joins Quetta Gladiators for PSL 10

Pakistan all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed has defended Mohammad Rizwan, supporting the Multan Sultans captain to continue leading the ODI side despite the surrounding criticism.

Rizwan’s captaincy has faced intense criticism in recent weeks due to notable setbacks experienced by Pakistan under his leadership.

The team was eliminated from the group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, followed by a disappointing white-ball tour to New Zealand.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

However, Iftikhar, known for his blunt remarks, does not believe the narrative that Rizwan’s time is over as Pakistan’s captain.

“For me, if you compare everywhere, I think Rizwan is the best option,” Iftikhar Ahmed said during a recent interview.

“It’s not because he’s my friend or because we both represent Multan Sultans. If you assess the available options with a performance lens, not a personal one, Rizwan still stands out — and more importantly, he has the ability to improve.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

It’s worth noting that Rizwan’s track record in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) remains a strong argument in his favour.

Since taking over the reins of Multan Sultans, he has led them to four consecutive finals, including a title win in 2021 — a level of consistency few franchises have matched in recent PSL history.

That said, PSL 10 hasn’t started the way Multan fans would’ve hoped, with the team losing their first two matches.

READ: Kane Williamson names THESE two Indian batters as next ‘Fab Five’ contenders

KARACHI: Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans captain Mohammad Rizwan addressed the criticism of his English skills on Friday, stating that he is not ashamed of speaking English.

Rizwan has been the target of social media trolling regarding his English speaking abilities since Pakistan’s disappointing performance at the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 and the subsequent white-ball tour of New Zealand.

He was also ridiculed by former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg in a viral video, where Hogg interacted with an impersonator resembling Rizwan.

In a press conference ahead of the PSL 10 opener against Karachi Kings, Mohammad Rizwan was questioned about the social media trolling focused on his English skills.

Catch all the PSL 10 updates here!

“I don’t care [about social media trolling]. I am proud of one thing and that is whatever I say, I say from my heart. And by the grace of Almighty Allah, I don’t know English.”

“The only regret is that I did not get enough education but I am not even one per cent ashamed that I can’t speak English despite being the captain of the Pakistan cricket team,” Rizwan explained.

The wicket-keeper emphasized his cricketing ability, lamenting that he regrets not finishing his education.

“The demand from me is cricket, not English. There is a regret that I did not complete my education, which is why I struggle in speaking English.”

“Pakistan is not demanding English from me if that is the case, I will leave cricket to become a professor but I do not have that much time,” he added.

Rizwan mentioned that he encourages younger players to prioritize their education to communicate effectively on an international stage while representing Pakistan.

When asked why he doesn’t bring a translator or speak Urdu during media engagements, Rizwan agreed it was a valid concern but felt he could express his thoughts well enough in English.

“That is a valid point that we should speak Urdu but sometimes we feel that we can speak much to make someone understand [what I am saying],” Rizwan argued.

“If an Englishman comes here, I can communicate with him and can even roam around the city for a day and he would not feel anything. Only those will feel, who are mad at me,” he concluded.

READ: Islamabad United win toss against Lahore Qalandars in PSL 10 opener