Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has criticized wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan‘s performance during the 2024 T20 World Cup clash against India.
Kaneria stated that the wicket-keeper batter’s inability to chase down a modest target of 120 runs against India, a match that has since sparked widespread debate among cricket enthusiasts.
During a recent interview, Kaneria did not mince words, highlighting Rizwan’s struggles in high-stakes situations. He drew a comparison between Rizwan and Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, unequivocally favoring Pant for his ability to deliver under pressure.
“Rizwan fails to score when it truly counts,” Kaneria remarked, pointing to Rizwan’s underwhelming performance against India as a prime example.
Kaneria also dissected a pivotal moment in the match when Indian captain Rohit Sharma strategically introduced Jasprit Bumrah into the attack, anticipating his batting vulnerability.
“Rizwan’s decision to sweep the first ball was baffling,” Kaneria noted, criticizing Rizwan’s inability to rotate the strike effectively against Axar Patel, which compounded pressure on his batting partner.
Rizwan’s innings ended with a disappointing 31 runs off 44 balls, striking at a mere 70.45. His dismissal, a reckless attempt to slog Bumrah, resulted in the ball crashing into his stumps, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position.
The team ultimately succumbed to a narrow six-run defeat at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, a loss that has intensified scrutiny on Rizwan’s role in the team.
Danish Kaneria’s remarks have added fuel to the ongoing discussion about Pakistan’s strategy and player selection in crucial matches.
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