Picture Credit: AP
Wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan will be taking a precautionary MRI scan as he sustained a strain in his right leg during Pakistan’s five-wicket win against India in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup in Dubai.
As per media reports from Pakistan, Rizwan suffered the strain as he awkwardly landed on his right leg while catching a ball delivered by Mohammad Hasnain during India's innings. As per reports, the 30-year-old hard-hitting batter was moved to a hospital soon after Pakistan's final-over victory.
Despite the injury, Mohammad Rizwan opened the innings and played a match-winning 71-run knock from just 51 balls as Pakistan chased down India's 181 with five wickets in hand. While batting with Mohammad Nawaz, Rizwan stitched up a game-changing 73-run partnership for the third wicket to help the Men in Green register a win after losing to India in the group league stage.
Reacting to the match, Rizwan was extremely proud of his team’s efforts as they held their own despite losing wickets at crucial moments. He said, “The whole world is watching this match. This game is as valuable as a final.”
“Every player will try to go give his 100%. The plan, as always, was to score against the new ball with one of us (himself and Babar Azam) batting long. I tried to stay till the end. We know our strengths, we have depth in our batting, and we have power-hitters who are capable of hitting around 45 runs off the last four overs. So we didn't panic.”
Rizwan’s batting partner in that important partnership, Mohammad Nawaz won the Player of the Match award. Nawaz scored a blistering 42 in 20 balls with six fours and two sixes. He also was extremely efficient with the ball as he picked up one wicket while giving away 25 runs.
Addressing the victory, he said, “Want to keep things simple. Basic things like line and length. The effort is to turn one or two deliveries to put doubt in the batter's mind. Leg-spinners were in operation and there was one short boundary as well. Needed around 10 rpo at that time. I had clarity about going for it if it was in my area. Sometimes in a high-pressure situation when you're looking to go hard, you tend to lose shape.”