Mohammad Rizwan has struggled for runs in T20 format in recent times.
Rizwan, who scored nine off nine balls, admitted his troubles and accepted full responsibility for his poor results. The Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter, who is under fire for his dismal performance in T20 cricket, did not try to escape the topic.
Instead, he accepted responsibility for his form, conceded that his numbers were inadequate, and stated unequivocally that he was not ready to abandon the format just yet. When asked if his recent performances, including in franchise cricket, had an impact on his prospects of being selected for Pakistan's T20 team, Rizwan did not defend himself.
“When I was playing in the Big Bash, the team was selected. I went there and said that I don’t deserve a place in the Pakistan team with my current performance,” said Rizwan in the post-match press conference.
“But I am the same person who was sitting here in front of you, and you told me that I cannot hit a sixer, if you remember. I am being honest. Haris (Rauf) is sitting in the back; he is a witness. We talked about this. We were eating there, and I told Haris that I don’t deserve a place in the Pakistan team with this kind of performance. He said something to me that I cannot say in front of you. He knows. He is sitting there,” said Rizwan.
Then he expanded the response beyond data and criticism, incorporating the human element.
"But I tell you that we are human beings. I said in the beginning that I made a mistake. My performance is not good. But this does not mean that I will lose hope and sit. Or I will leave cricket. If I have the strength, I will do it.
If I don't, I have already told the captains before that my performance is not good. Give someone else a chance when I am not doing well. There are examples. When Saifi bhai was with the team, I did this. I am not afraid of anyone; if something is wrong, it is wrong,” he added.
Rizwan's admission set the tone for a response that was both personal and resolute.
"For me, cricket is a passion. I play T20, Test, and ODI. I love cricket. That is why I play it. I don't know anything else in my life. I don't have a business. I don't play any other sport. I only play cricket. Yes, I am losing now. My performance is not good. But by the will of God, my hard work is never less. I have worked hard. By God's will, I will stand in front of you again after my hard work,” Rizwan concluded on a personal note.
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