Mohammed Rizwan consumed more than half the overs, as his innings with a strike rate of less than 120, left Pakistan short of an achievable target.
In Tuesday’s opening Twenty20 match against South Africa, Pakistan’s white-ball skipper, Muhammad Rizwan, scored 74 runs off 62 balls in a performance that did not sit well with Pakistani supporters. Pakistan lost badly and was unable to reach the target of 184 runs, falling short by 12 runs. Rizwan batted with a strike rate of just 119.35, using more than half of the overs.
David Miller’s incredible 82 off 40 balls helped South Africa reach 183, and Rizwan made Pakistan’s halting run chase even more agonizing to watch.
In the 17th over, the skipper of Pakistan reached his half-century in 50 balls, but it was too late to accelerate.
Rizwan’s innings angered fans on social media.
“That innings by Rizwan was so frustrating to watch, even as the fan of the opposition,” stated another user.
After Pakistan’s terrible group stage loss in the T20 World Cup 2024 under Babar Azam’s leadership, Rizwan has assumed captaincy of the country in white ball forms. In his maiden ODI series as skipper, Rizwan defeated Australia on the road, however his team lost the next T20I series 3-0.
The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa has now also started poorly.
Rizwan will captain Pakistan in a three-match ODI series against South Africa after the Twenty20 Internationals.
Two Test matches, which will be South Africa’s last two games in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 cycle, round up the trip as they attempt to secure a spot in the WTC Final 2025.
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