Mohammad Rizwan’s rise to the top
15 innings, 185 runs at an average of 16.81 with the highest score of 33*. These were Mohammad Rizwan’s batting numbers before he transformed himself into T20I cricket’s Bradman.
In December 2020, Rizwan was promoted to the top slot in Pakistan’s T20I batting order. Since then, he has amassed 1454 runs in 29 innings with an unbelievable average of 69.23. He has gone past the score of fifty in 14 out of these 29 innings including a T20I ton.
Mohammad Rizwan in T20I in 2021:
Matches – 29
Runs – 1326
Highest score – 104*
Average – 73.66
Strike Rate – 134.89
Fifties – 12
Hundred – 1
Fours – 119
Sixes – 42 pic.twitter.com/LL4abWBBaH— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 16, 2021
Rizwan’s metamorphosis after the promotion has been truly incredible. It began in New Zealand when Pakistan toured the Black Caps for three T20Is. After two average knocks, Rizwan found his rhythm in Napier where he blasted 89 runs in 59 balls. His innings helped his side chase down 174 runs.
Improving on the effort, Rizwan celebrated his maiden T20I ton at home against South Africa. In Lahore, he registered scores of 104*, 51 and 42 against the Proteas. In the return tour, the diminutive batsman smashed two 70+ scores while also fetching two ducks.
Continuing his magic in overseas conditions, the 29-year old managed two fifties in the 3 T20Is played in England. Rizwan was then run out on 46 in his only innings in the Caribbean T20Is.
The T20I World Cup provided Rizwan with an opportunity to showcase his talent and consistency on a global stage. His 79* against India in the opening encounter shall always occupy a special place in Pakistan cricket. In the tournament, he scored 281 runs in 6 innings and finished as the third-highest run-getter.
After a blip in the Bangladesh series, Rizwan bounced back hard with 203 runs in 3 T20Is against West Indies. With two fifties in three appearances, he was adjudged the Player of the Series. This is his 4th Player of the Series Award, just one less than Babar Azam.
Apart from his individual brilliance, Rizwan has been a spectacular opening partner of his captain, Babar. The duo is already 4th most successful opening partnership in T20I cricket in terms of runs scored. They have stitched together five 100+ opening partnerships – most by any pair in T20Is.
While Rizwan continues to enjoy the dream phase in T20I cricket, there is one area where he needs to up his game – his strike rate. At present, his career strike rate is 129. As an opener, it shoots up to 135. However, in the first 10 overs of the innings, it drops to 114. With Babar Azam at the other end, it more often than not results in a steady but slow start for Pakistan. If Rizwan manages to remedy his SR in the opening phase while continuing his consistent run, he will stay on the course of becoming one of the finest batters in T20I cricket.
