Ramiz Raja: “Rizwan is a fighter”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja acknowledged wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan “is a fighter” as he keeps relentlessly keeps overcoming all hurdles in his way.
Rizwan has long been one of Pakistan’s most consistent run-scorers across all three formats of the game. However, he is currently out of the T20I squad, with many attributing it to his low strike-rate.
It remains to be seen if the selectors give the 33-year-old another opportunity to revive his T20I career, but Ramiz knows that the Peshawar native will keep delivering strong performances to press his case.
“Rizwan is a fighter,” he was quoted as saying on Facebook.
Rizwan recently played in Pakistan’s home series against South Africa and started off with 126 runs in two Tests, which included a top score of 75, at an average of 31.50.
He missed the three-match T20I series, but returned for the three ODIs and made 91 runs, which included a top score of 55, at an average of 45.50.
Rizwan continued to excel in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, accumulating 117 runs, which included two fifties, at an average of 117.
Pakistan’s latest assignment was a T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, which they won. Rizwan, though, played no part in it.
However, he is currently involved in the Big Bash League (BBL), where he has struck 36 runs in two games for the Melbourne Renegades at an average of 18 and a strike-rate of 100.