Tag: Mohammad Rizwan

  • Rizwan, Dahani’s video from sixth victorious match goes viral

    Rizwan, Dahani’s video from sixth victorious match goes viral

    A video clip from a match between Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchises Peshawar Zalmi and Multan Sultans has been circulating on social media in which Sultans’ captain Mohammad Rizwan can be seen diving to catch the bowl but he ended up colliding with pacer Shahnawaz Dahani. Though the catch was safely taken by Dahani, netizens cannot stop praising both Rizwan and the 23-year-old speedster for their dedication and perfection.

    In the video, we see Kamran Akmal hitting the ball in the air off Blessing Muzarabani’s bowling. The wicket-keeper-batter and the pacer were both getting under it to take the catch.

    Even the Sultans’ all-rounder Khushdil Shah shared the video on Twitter and said that he loved the reaction of Dahani after catching the ball.

    One of the users termed Sultans as the “cutest team to exist”.

    One user said: “Really loved the reaction of Rizwan, many could have lost it at that moment but he showed once again why he is a very good leader.”

    While former cricketer Azhar Mahmood’s wife Ebba Qureshi said that she can watch this video on loop.

    Multan took their unbeaten streak to six wins from as many games by securing a 42-run win over Peshawar Zalmi in Lahore.

    Meanwhile, it is pertinent to mention here that Sultans became the first team to qualify for the play-offs in the ongoing seventh edition of the PSL.

    The defending champions kicked off their PSL 7 campaign from where they left last season, and till now they are the only team to have defended successfully. They are comfortably sitting at the top of the table with 12 points.

    The Sultans’ players also took to Twitter to celebrate their sixth consecutive win in the league.

  • Pakistan announces squad for Test series against Australia

    Pakistan announces squad for Test series against Australia

    Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced 16 players and five reserves for the three Tests against Australia, which will be played in Rawalpindi (March4-8), Karachi (March 12-16) and Lahore (March 21-25).

    Test players who are not involved in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 will assemble in Karachi on Wednesday, February 16, for a training camp that will be held at the National Stadium.

    From the series against Bangladesh, three changes have been made in the national squad.

    Haris Rauf, who was in the side for South Africa and Zimbabwe Tests in 2021, has returned to replace off-spinner Bilal Asif, while Shan Masood, who last played in New Zealand in the 2020-21 season, has taken over from Abid Ali, who is completing his rehabilitation after being diagnosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome. Yasir Shah has been added to the reserve pool.

    Chief selector Muhammad Wasim in a statement said: “We have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia and changes have only been made where absolutely necessary. This is to give the boys confidence, reward them for their impressive performances in the longer version of the game in 2021 and continue to build the side for the future.”

    “These are the best available, most talented and in-form players in the domestic circuit. I am confident they will put up an impressive performance against a formidable Australia side,” he added.

    Test squad:

    Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zahid Mahmood.

    Reserves players selected for the tour are Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Yasir Shah.

    Cricket Australia announced the full-strength squad for Pakistan tour on Tuesday. While squads for the limited-overs matches that will follow the Tests are yet to be named, the fact that no Test players have pulled out is a vote of confidence for the tour.

  • ‘A remarkable start in Khi’: Rizwan on five out of five wins

    ‘A remarkable start in Khi’: Rizwan on five out of five wins

    Pakistan’s wicket-keeper-batter and captain of Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans has turned to his social media after winning five out of five matches in the Karachi leg of PSL 7. He has also thanked all team members and the management of the franchise for their contribution to the victorious start.

    “Alhumdulillah 5/5. A remarkable start in Khi by @MultanSultans in @thePSLt20. Each member of this team is a match-winner. Grateful to entire management, coaching staff & owners for the trust, support and freedom to operate,” he said in a tweet.

    He also promised to repeat the winning streak in Lahore as well. He added: “One game at a time, Champs!”

    While in a later tweet, Rizwan thanked his fans and requested them to remember Sultans in their prayers.

    Sultans crushed Peshawar Zalmi on Saturday with a 57-run victory. Zalmi didn’t have a good beginning to the mammoth 223 run-chase.

    Multan was given a solid opening start of 85 runs from Shan Masood and Rizwan, which provided a solid foundation for a huge total. Afterwards, it was Tim David’s blistering innings that stole the show.

    Rizwan bagged the Player of the Match award for his prolific 82-run inning.

    For Sultans, Imran Tahir and Shahnawaz Dahani were able to take three wickets, while Blessing Muzarabani and Abbas Afridi took a wicket each.

  • PPP’s Kaira reveals why Imran Khan is no longer his favourite cricketer

    PPP’s Kaira reveals why Imran Khan is no longer his favourite cricketer

    Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that Imran Khan was his favorite cricketer but when Khan got involved in politics, Khan broke all his dreams.

    The PPP leader was invited to the Geo News programme ‘Jashan-e-Cricket’ with actor Eshal Fayyaz and talked about several things.

    Kaira added that the young cricketers are doing real good and that Babar Azam is leading the team really well. In his opinion, wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is a great batter as well and Shaheen Shah is doing really well.

    PPP leader Kaira further said that PPP needs to do a lot in Punjab.

    On another question about PPP’s stake in Lahore, he said that 25-30% of the people would think that Lahore’s government could belong to PPP.

  • Babar, Rizwan face-off: Both ready to face each other in first PSL 7 match

    Babar, Rizwan face-off: Both ready to face each other in first PSL 7 match

    The stage is set for the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) to begin on January 27 at the National Stadium in Karachi with defending champions Multan Sultans facing off 2020 champions Karachi Kings following a curtain-raiser opening ceremony.

    Babar Azam, who made the record for most T20I wins as captain in a calendar year with 20 in 2021, will lead Karachi Kings. Mohammad Rizwan, first-ever batter to score more than 1,000 T20I runs in a calendar year, will lead Multan Sultans.

    Babar in a statement issued by PSL, said: “I am very excited to be leading Karachi Kings this season. This is the first instance that I will be captaining a side in the HBL PSL and I am looking forward to it.

    “The first match of the tournament always has a lot of eyeballs and Multan Sultans can prove to be a tough opposition. I am sure the fans will get to see a thrilling contest.

    “Peter Moores is a seasoned coach and I have had fruitful discussions with him. Karachi Kings will display good, competitive cricket this season.”

    While Rizwan said: “We have all the potential to defend our HBL PSL title and we will be taking the field tomorrow with that mind set. This season will present us new challenges and we will have to plan accordingly.

    “Babar Azam is a wonderful batter and captain, and his leadership will certainly have a good impact on Karachi Kings. I am hopeful that the HBL PSL 7 will kick off with a great contest between the two sides.”

  • Rizwan misses ‘fighter’ Shahid Afridi ahead of PSL 7

    Rizwan misses ‘fighter’ Shahid Afridi ahead of PSL 7

    The seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) is set to kick off from January 27 and skipper of PSL franchise Multan Sultans, Mohammad Rizwan, has said that he will miss the “fighter” all-rounder Shahid Afridi.

    The phenomenal all-rounder moved to Quetta Gladiators for the PSL 7, which would be his last tournament.

    Rizwan, while speaking to Cricket Pakistan, said that the global superstar’s absence will always be felt.

    “Last year he also got injured and we missed him dearly then as well,” Rizwan said. “He is a superstar of the country and his absence is always going to be felt. I talk to him time and time again as he makes things easier.”

    The wicket-keeper-batter, who was named the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year, also recalled the time that he spent with Afridi on the pitch.

    He said that Shahid is a fighter and he plays with passion and he never gives up. “I remember we were playing a match together and we needed 120-odd runs from 50-odd balls,” he said. “Our entire top-order had collapsed and batting together with him made me realise that he never gives up. When we would meet in the middle, he would tell things we need to do to turn the match around and that, for me, defines him as a person and a player,” he added.

    Sultans will be in action against Karachi Kings in the PSL 2022 opening match, which will be played at the National Stadium Karachi tomorrow (January 27).

  • Riz-wins T20I Player of the Year Award, Fatima Sana is Emerging Player of the Year

    Riz-wins T20I Player of the Year Award, Fatima Sana is Emerging Player of the Year

    Pakistan’s wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been named the ICC men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year for 2021, while a young female cricketer of the Pakistan women’s cricket team Fatima Sana has been named ICC women’s Emerging Player of the Year.

    Rizwan, who also won the PCB’s Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year award recently following a stellar year, scored 1326 runs in 29 T20Is at an average of 73.66 and a strike rate of 134.89. He was also responsible for 22 dismissals behind the stumps in the format.

    At the Men’s T20 World Cup, where Pakistan lost in the semi-finals, Rizwan finished as the third-highest run-getter with 281 runs in six matches. In 2021, Rizwan also became the first batter to touch the 1000-run mark in a calendar year in T20Is, and the 2000-run mark in T20s.

    On the other hand, Pakistan’s Fatima Sana, a seam-bowling allrounder, was named ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year. Sana, 20, claimed 24 wickets and scored 165 runs in 16 games across ODI and T20I cricket in 2021.

    https://twitter.com/PCBofficials/status/1485466852700700673?s=20

    Apart from playing West Indies at home, she also toured South Africa and the West Indies, and played the Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. Her most eye-catching performance came in an ODI in Antigua in July, when she hit an unbeaten 28 off 19 and then took her maiden international five-wicket haul to help Pakistan to a win.

    Twitter was flooded with the congratulatory messages for both cricketers

    PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja congratulated Rizwan on a “well deserved achievement”. He lauded the cricketer, saying:

    “Your humility, attitude and hard work defines you,” and wished more laurels and success to him.

    Meanwhile, PCB’s official Twitter account also posted a congratulatory tweet for Rizwan.

    Srilankan cricketer Dimuth Karunarathna, Pakistani all-rounder Shadab Khan and many took to Twitter to congratulate Rizwan.

    Senator Faisal Javed Khan also congratulated “Pakistan’s star cricketer” on Twitter. He also congratuled Fatima in another tweet.

    Taking to Twitter, Rizwan said that the journey has just started.

    While Fatima said that she is honoured, humbled and overwhelmed.

  • Babar declared captain of ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year, Rizwan, Shaheen included

    Babar declared captain of ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Year, Rizwan, Shaheen included

    International Cricket Council (ICC) has recognised 11 cricketers from different teams for their exceptional performance in cricket. Pakistan all-format skipper Babar Azam has been declared the captain of the team after his prolific stint in the ICC T20 World Cup.

    Pakistan’s star players, wicket keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and bowling sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi, also made it to the team.

    In a statement issued for the announcement of Men’s T20I Team of the Year, the ICC said that it is to recognise 11 outstanding individuals who have impressed one and all, “be it with the bat, the ball or their all-round exploits in a calendar year.”

    Here is a look at the players who made it to the team from Pakistan.

    Babar Azam

    The Pakistan skipper was at his classy best in the shortest format in 2021, leaving his best at the T20 World Cup where he ended the tournament as the leading run-scorer.

    Overall, Babar played 29 matches and aggregated 939 runs at an average of 37.56 with one century and nine half-centuries. His captaincy was also praised as he led his team to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman.

    Mohammad Rizwan

    The Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter ruled the roost in 2021 when it came to the shortest format of the game. Aggregating a staggering 1,326 runs in only 29 matches, Rizwan struck at an average of 73.66 and a strike-rate of 134.89.

    Apart from his exploits with the bat, he was as solid as ever behind the stumps, playing a key role in Pakistan’s run to the semis during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, where he ended up as the third-highest run-scorer.

    Shaheen Afridi

    It was a year to remember for Shaheen Afridi, especially in the shortest form of the game. Extracting brilliant movement with the new ball and reversing it with the old, Afridi picked up 23 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 26.04 and an economy of 7.86.

    Still only 21, Shaheen will likely lead the Pakistan pace bowling unit for years to come and with already rapid improvements in his bowling, he will undoubtedly prove to be a fearsome prospect.

    The others include Jos Buttler of England, Aiden Markram of South Africa, Mitchell Marsh of Australia, David Miller of South Africa, Wanindu Hasaranga of Sri Lanka, Tabraiz Shamsi of South Africa, Josh Hazlewood of Australia, and Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh.

  • Mohammad Rizwan reveals why he avoids taking pictures with girls

    Mohammad Rizwan reveals why he avoids taking pictures with girls

    Pakistan’s wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has recently revealed why he avoids taking pictures with girls.

    A video of Rizwan’s interview is doing the rounds on social media in which the opener is explaining the reason for not taking pictures with his female fans.

    “For me, women are very respectable and I don’t consider myself worthy to take pictures with my mothers or sisters when they ask me to take pictures with them. The standard of these women is very high to me,” he said.

    The cricketer also wished that “my mothers and sisters, who are my fans, would not be angry with me over this act, there are some things I try to do to keep myself safe.”

    There is no doubt that Rizwan had an exceptional year in T20 cricket but during Pakistan vs West Indies second T20I match in December, a female fan of his got attention of social media from the crowd holding a banner saying: “Rizwan please adopt me.”

    She was photographed wearing a green jersey and a huge smile on her face during the match at the National Stadium in Karachi.

    Fans also gushed over Rizwan’s pictures with his pillow on different international tours.

  • Most Valuable Cricketer: Mohammad Rizwan shines in PCB Awards

    Most Valuable Cricketer: Mohammad Rizwan shines in PCB Awards

    Pakistan wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan had an exceptional year with the bat, behind the wicket as well in T20 cricket. The star cricketer bagged two awards in the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) annual awards. Rizwan has been given Most Valuable Cricketer Of The Year and T20 Cricketer Of The Year awards.

    There were a total of 10 categories identified with eight player’s categories and two special categories, including Spirit of Cricket and Umpire of the Year.

    Following is the complete list of winners in all categories announced by PCB in a press release issued after the online award ceremony:

    Impactful performance of the Year: Shaheen Shah Afridi

    Emerging Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Wasim Jnr

    ODI Cricketer of the Year: Babar Azam

    Women’s Cricketer of the Year: Nida Dar

    Test Cricketer of the Year: Hassan Ali

    T20I Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Rizwan

    Spirit of Cricket: Pakistan cricket team’s visit to the Namibia cricket team’s dressing room following their 45 runs victory to congratulate the Namibia side for qualifying for their maiden ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and then progressing to the Super-12 Stage.

    Umpire of the Year: Asif Yaqoob

    Domestic Cricketer of the Year: Sahibzada Farhan

    Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year: Mohammad Rizwan

    The independent panel that selected the winners included Rashid Latif, Marina Iqbal (former international cricketers), Tariq Saeed (broadcaster), Mazher Arshad (statistician), Majid Bhatti, Mohammad Yaqoob, Mohi Shah, Rizwan Ali, Shahid Hashmi and Sohail Imran (journalists).

    Rizwan won the PCB’s Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year award following a stellar 2021 in which he scored 455 Test, 134 ODI and 1,326 T20I runs, besides accounting for 56 batsmen behind the wickets across all formats.

    For the Most Valuable Cricketer of the Year award, Rizwan beat the strong competitors like Babar Azam, Hassan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who also had an impressive and outstanding year, which is reflected through Pakistan’s overall performance in 2021.

    “I feel humbled and honoured to have been adjudged Pakistan’s Most Valuable Cricketer of 2021. This is the PCB’s most prestigious award and to be recognised for my contributions in the team’s superlative performances across all formats in 2021 in such a way gives me tremendous satisfaction and happiness,” Rizwan said.

    “I thought I had an exceptional year in the shortest format of the game when I was able to hit a century early in the year against South Africa and then carry that confidence and momentum for the rest of the year. I give a lot of credit to our bowlers who bowled their hearts out and didn’t let the pressure get onto the batters by maintaining sustained pressure on opponents throughout the year.”

    Speaking on the ocassion, Chairman PCB Ramiz Raja said: “PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja: “On behalf of the PCB, I want to congratulate each award winner. They deserve all the applause and accolades for their tremendous consistency across all formats in difficult times that inspired their sides to outstanding performances throughout 2021, which have been widely acknowledged by the Pakistan cricket fans.”