He showed extreme courage and scored 67 against Australia in the semi-final.
Pakistan keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has revealed that he couldn't breathe when he was admitted to the hospital due to a severe chest infection and one of the nurses told him both his windpipes would have burst had he been 20 minutes late in reaching the hospital.
Pictures of Rizwan lying on a hospital bed have emerged after his brilliant knock of 67 runs against Australia in the semi-final of the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Later, it was revealed that the right-hander was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for two days ahead of Pakistan's semi-final clash against Australia.
The 29-year-old had been experiencing intermittent fever, a persistent cough, and difficulty in breathing, and subsequent tests revealed that the cricketer had a severe laryngeal infection, which caused an esophageal spasm and bronchospasm.
However, he made a miraculous recovery and managed to bat brilliantly in the semi-final against Australia.
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Rizwan told Cricket Pakistan: “When I reached the hospital, I wasn't breathing. And the nurses told me that my windpipes were choked. They were not telling me anything. I was told that I would get better by morning and discharged.
During the afternoon, I was told that I will be discharged in the evening. So, I asked one of the nurses and then I was told that had it been late in reaching the hospital by 20 minutes, both my windpipes would have burst. You will have to be there for two nights or more.”
He further revealed that playing the semi-final was always on his mind and the desire played a massive role in his fast recovery from the illness. He was treated by an Indian doctor in Dubai.
The batter signed off by saying, “They used to conduct regular tests but the constant thought in my mind was that I'll soon get fit to play the match. The doctor told me that he wanted me to play the semi-final for Pakistan which gave me a boost.
But later, when he told me that 'Rizwan, you are not in a condition to play'… that took me back a little. He told me there are risks involved. Thankfully, things started getting better and I was able to make a quick recovery.”