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Thursday July 04, 2024

'We deserve criticism': Rizwan admits flaws in team

On grouping, wicketkeeper says speculations about bias in team are not true as they all play for the green flag

By Sheeba Haider
July 02, 2024
Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan walks out after being dismissed during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024 match between Pakistan and Ireland at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, on June 16, 2024. —AFP
Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan walks out after being dismissed during the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024 match between Pakistan and Ireland at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, on June 16, 2024. —AFP

PESHAWAR: The Green Shirts deserved flak for their disappointing performance in this year’s T20 World Cup campaign, said right-handed batsman Mohammad Rizwan on Tuesday.

The wicket-keeper said following poor performance, they deserved people’s wrath and those who could not face the criticism, could not succeed. 

Speaking to journalists in Peshawar, he said" "There is not one reason behind a team’s defeat. There are a number of weaknesses which lead to (Pakistan’s early on) exit from the tournament."

It should be noted that Pakistan was eliminated from the T20 World Cup at the group stage which drew criticism from fans, analysts and cricketers alike, as they suffered defeat at the hands of minnows, US, as well.

Rizwan said it was disappointing for the team members too as they could not fulfill the nation’s dreams. After the T20 World Cup debacle, the Men in Green could not claim that they wielded strong batting and bowling, he added.

On grouping, he said the speculations about bias in the team were not true as they all played for the green flag.

On Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s remarks of need for “major surgery” in Pakistan team, the right-handed batsman said, “When you fall ill, you get a surgery. He's chairman of the board and it is his right. It's his right whom he wants to retain and whom not.”