"The criticism the team is facing is justified" - Mohammad Rizwan on Pakistan's poor performance in T20 World Cup 2024
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan felt the criticism their team faced was justified, given their disappointing performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The 32-year-old added that top players should always be prepared to face criticism.
Pakistan, who were the runners-up of the previous T20 World Cup, lost their first two matches to co-hosts USA and India in the recently concluded event, which put them on the brink of elimination. The Babar Azam-led side did beat Canada and Ireland, but it was not enough to propel them to the Super-Eight stage.
Speaking to reporters in Peshawar, Rizwan conceded that their criticism was justified and suggested that Pakistan would only get better by working on their shortcomings. As quoted by Cricket Pakistan.pk, he stated:
"The criticism the team is facing is justified, and we deserve this since we didn’t perform in accordance with expectations. Players who can’t face criticism won’t be able to succeed. We are disappointed with our performance in the T20 World Cup. There are multiple reasons behind our losses. When a team loses, one can’t say that bowling and batting is doing well."
Rizwan finished as Pakistan's top run-getter of the 2024 T20 World Cup with 110 runs in four matches. However, his strike rate was just 90.90. Their intent and inability to play at a good tempo came under intense criticism as the Men in Green struggled to chase down a score even against Ireland.
"When a person is ill, operation is necessary" - Mohammad Rizwan
With PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi calling the need for a 'major surgery' following Pakistan's loss to India, the right-hander suggested that it was indeed required. He added:
"Operations are a normal thing. When a person is ill, operation is necessary. PCB Chairman is a hard-working person. The decision about who will remain in the team and who will not is the chairman's right."
Pakistan are likely to host Bangladesh for two Tests in August 2024, but the schedule is yet to be officially announced.