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| Muhammad Rizwan (centre) is consoled by teammate Mohammad Haris as he walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the ICC men's T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final match between New Zealand and Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. — AFP/File |
Former Pacer Challenges Rizwan’s Omission from Pakistan’s T20I Squad Amid Poor Form
Former Pacer Criticizes Mohammad
Rizwan’s Omission from Pakistan T20 Squad, Points to Haris’s Poor Form
Ex-fast bowler Tanveer Ahmed
questions why Mohammad Rizwan was excluded from Pakistan’s T20 squad amid
Mohammad Haris’s prolonged poor form, igniting debate over selection strategy.
Muhammad Rizwan is consoled by teammate Mohammad
Haris as he walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the ICC men's
T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final match between New Zealand and Pakistan at the
Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. — AFP/FileFormer fast bowler Tanveer Ahmed
raised a...
Pakistan cricket has found itself embroiled in a fresh
controversy. Former fast bowler Tanveer Ahmed pulled no punches when he
publicly questioned the decision to leave out stalwart wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad
Rizwan from the current T20I squad. His pointed remarks, shared on social
media, spotlight a brewing debate over loyalty versus results in team
selection.
Rizwan’s omission came against a backdrop of underwhelming performances from his replacement, Mohammad Haris, who can’t seem to find form. In a scathing critique, Tanveer asked: “If Mohammad Haris has played like this, why was Mohammad Rizwan deliberately excluded from the team?” Despite opportunities, Haris has failed to surpass 38 runs in nine consecutive T20I innings—a run of form that has left fans puzzled and analysts uneasy. The News International
Selection by Performance, Not Name
When the Pakistan Cricket Board unveiled its 17-man squad
for the tri-series and Asia Cup, senior figures like Babar Azam and Mohammad
Rizwan were conspicuously absent. Head coach Mike Hesson explained the
strategy: the team needs more pace, aggression, and high strike rates—traits he
believed Rizwan’s current form lacked. The Times of IndiaReuters
Chief selector Aqib Javed echoed this sentiment, stressing that nothing is permanent. Players must evolve—especially in T20 cricket, where scoring quickly is as important as building innings. He highlighted new faces like Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, and Fakhar Zaman as having earned their spots, while dismissing the notion that Rizwan has been written off. a-sports.tv
Figures Speak Their Mind
Critics of the move have been vocal. Former all-rounder Mohammad
Hafeez was blunt: Rizwan (alongside Babar) is no longer one of Pakistan’s
“key players.” His comments reflect the growing schism between
performance-based selection and legacy. The Times of India
Meanwhile, the reaction on social media has been heated.
Enthusiasts point to Rizwan’s consistent contributions and his status as one of
Pakistan’s top T20I run-scorers. Leaving him out, many argue, could weaken the
team’s depth and experience. Cricket Times
In contrast, Tanveer Ahmed’s remarks highlight a different narrative: performance must trump prestige. If Haris continues to flounder, the former pacer argues, it raises questions about the fairness of Rizwan’s exclusion. The News International
The Bigger Picture: Strategy or
Short-term Fix?
Pakistan’s sweeping selection revamp signals more than just
a tweak—it’s a shift in mindset. The cricket board wants a dynamic,
strike-rate-heavy batting unit, one that can electrify the powerplay. This is
why fresh faces are being tested ahead of major tournaments like the Asia Cup
and the T20 World Cup. The Times of IndiaReuters
But playing young guns comes with risks. The backlash has underscored a lingering question: are Pakistan’s selectors balancing innovation with core stability—or sacrificing foundation for flash?
Road Ahead: Can Rizwan Return?
Despite the blowback, nothing is final in sport. As Aqib
Javed noted, there is “no full stop” for Rizwan. A return hinges on strong
domestic performance or standout displays in leagues like the Big Bash or PSL. a-sports.tv
For Pakistan, the clock is ticking. As their Asia Cup campaign unfolds, the pressure to perform will only increase—on both the veterans and the new faces hoping to fill their boots.