NEW DELHI: With RawalPindiz slipping to yet another loss in the Pakistan Super League, Mohammad Rizwan faced a familiar kind of pressure—and with it, a broader question about whether he should consider stepping away from T20 international cricket, similar to the stance Salman Ali Agha has recently hinted at. After suffering defeat against Lahore Qalandars, RawalPindiz remain stuck at the foot of the standings, having lost all seven matches played so far. In that tense backdrop, Rizwan addressed the media and looked inward rather than outward.
Agha has said he is open to reducing or pausing his T20I commitments if it helps him prepare more effectively for the 2027 ODI World Cup, as well as the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Rizwan’s own press conference carried a different weight—one driven by form, scrutiny, and the reality of a struggling run—yet he chose to meet the questions with candour.
The wicketkeeper-batter’s comments stood out for their self-reflective tone. He made it clear he has never avoided criticism of his own performances, describing how he had voiced similar concerns even during his time playing in the Big Bash League. Rizwan said that after being selected there, he told people around him that, based on what he had shown at the time, he did not feel he deserved a place in the Pakistan setup. He also recalled that he was facing criticism for not being able to hit sixes at the level expected, emphasizing that the person speaking to the media now was the same individual who had made those assessments earlier.
Rizwan then added another layer to his accountability by describing a frank discussion with teammate Haris Rauf. He suggested that the honesty he speaks about is not just public-facing, insisting that Rauf was present as a witness to a conversation that happened off the field. Rizwan said that even now he is being direct: Haris Rauf was sitting behind him, and if they had that conversation again, Rauf would be able to confirm it. He explained that during a dinner interaction while they were together, he had told Haris that his current Big Bash League output did not warrant a spot in the Pakistan team. He said he could not repeat the exact words Rauf responded with, but stressed that Haris knows the full context.
On the subject of dealing with a rough phase, Rizwan admitted his shortcomings but refused to present retreat as an option. He said he believes that everyone makes mistakes, and that he had acknowledged issues from the start, noting that his recent performance has not been at the required level. However, he insisted that poor form should not translate into losing belief, giving up in front of the media, or quitting the sport. He also revealed that, when he feels the situation demands it, he has even spoken to the Pakistan captain directly—stating that his performances were not good enough and that juniors should be given opportunities.
When asked about the criticism surrounding his batting, the right-handed batter reiterated that he is willing to be questioned and is prepared to face tough scrutiny. He pointed out that he has said similar things before, including during periods when Sarfaraz Ahmed was part of the team, and repeated that he is not afraid of questions or of the media. Rizwan added that if he believes something is not right in his own game, it is something he must address—and he said that if anyone feels he should retire at his current age, then he would accept that call.
Beyond the immediate slump, Rizwan spoke about why cricket remains central to him. He described the sport as his passion, saying it comes first regardless of format—whether it is T20 internationals, Tests, or ODIs. He said he plays because he does not know how to do anything else in life, adding that he has no business outside cricket and does not pursue other sports.
Rizwan concluded by acknowledging that he has not been performing at the standard expected in the present moment. He said he is standing in front of the media without the kind of output fans and teammates demand, and suggested that perhaps he has not worked hard enough. Still, he expressed confidence that he can return stronger if he puts in more effort, and he promised that he will face the questions again when his form improves. For now, he accepted that his hard work has not been enough, which is why the results have not gone in his favour.
