"Mohammad Rizwan doesn't score runs when it matters"- Pakistan veteran attacks

Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has criticized wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan for his inability to score runs in crucial moments. Danish Kaneria also highlighted Mohammad Rizwan's poor strategy against arch-rivals Team India during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The Men in Green, led by Babar Azam, struggled against the India cricket team during the T20 World Cup 2024 group stage match. They failed to chase down a modest 120-run target. The Pakistan cricket team was eliminated from the marquee T20 tournament after losing to India.

Mohammad Rizwan Doesn't Score Runs - Danish Kaneria

In a recent interview, Danish Kaneria was asked to choose between Mohammad Rizwan and India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. The cricketer-turned-expert stated that he would pick Pant over Rizwan.

Kaneria explained his choice by stating that Mohammad Rizwan doesn't score runs when it matters. He pointed out Rizwan's failure to help Pakistan chase down the target against India in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

"He (Rizwan) doesn't score runs when it matters, that's the only problem. In the T20 World Cup, when Rizwan was on strike, Rohit Sharma deliberately brought in Jasprit Bumrah into the attack because he knew that he would get him out. It was very obvious," Kaneria said on Sports Yaari.

How Could You Sweep The First Ball - Danish Kaneria

Kaneria also stated that Indian captain Rohit Sharma brought in Jasprit Bumrah to dismiss Rizwan at a crucial moment. The 43-year-old said that Rizwan fell into the trap and handed his wicket to Bumrah. He criticized Rizwan for his poor decision to sweep the first ball against the Indian pacer.

"How could you sweep the first ball? I mean what is this? You couldn't score runs against Axar Patel, taking singles and doubles and putting pressure on your partner. Then, when you knew that a skipper has brought a fast bowler to get your wicket, you say, 'Here, take my wicket'," Kaneria added.

The Rohit Sharma-led team set a 120-run target for Pakistan on a challenging surface at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Mohammad Rizwan scored 31 runs off 44 balls at a poor strike rate of 70.45 before throwing his wicket to Jasprit Bumrah during the 15th over.

Rizwan threw his wicket while attempting a wild slog off Jasprit Bumrah's bowling. The team was at 80/4 in 15.1 overs after Rizwan's dismissal in the chase. They failed to score a boundary until the final over. The Babar Azam-led team ultimately suffered a narrow six-run defeat to their arch-rivals.

Rizwan is currently leading the Makhrors team in the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup 2024. The right-handed batter has amassed 78 runs across two innings in the domestic tournament. However, the Makhrors team won the two matches and is currently at the top of the points table.

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