Pakistan may have lost the T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia. However, the squad has surely earned the hearts of the fans with their performance throughout the competition. They made it through the Super 12 stage unharmed, but a few poor overs of cricket destroyed their hopes of winning their second shortest format crown. Nonetheless, the squad put up a fantastic performance, and the guy who won millions of hearts was Mohammad Rizwan.
He batted well throughout the event, including a half-century in the vital semi-final. However, the individual was in poor health 48 hours before the contest. Rizwan had a chest infection and was sent to the ICU, where he spent two nights before recuperating like a warrior for his nation on match day.
Mohammed Rizwan was in the ICU for 2 days before the match
During the press conference, a member of the Pakistani staff disclosed that Rizwan fought hard and returned to give his all for his team. “On November 9th, Rizwan suffered a serious chest infection and was brought to the hospital. He spent two nights in the intensive care unit rehabilitating. But he made a miraculous recovery and was cleared to play before the match. We can see his courage, persistence, and perseverance, which demonstrates his sense of service to the country,” he remarked.
He was treated by an Indian doctor. The doctor suggested that the recovery was miraculous. He was back on the team in no time.
Mohammad Rizwan didn’t get off to a typical flying start when Pakistan was given the opportunity to bat first. He had trouble timing the ball, but as he spent more time in the centre, the batter began to open up. He made up for a lost time by producing one of Pakistan’s best innings. Rizwan scored 67 runs off 52 balls, including three fours and four sixes, and was a key contributor to Pakistan’s 176-run total in 20 overs.
Rizwan came up clutch in the semi-final against Australia
Rizwan made 281 runs overall in the event and is now the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer, behind only team captain Babar Azam. His average of 70.25 is among the highest in the competition, and he also hit 23 fours and 12 sixes. Not only has he won many hearts with his hitting, but also with his behaviour on and off the field.
Pakistan had virtually everything – a strong start with the bat, a flourish at the finish, the highest total (at the time) in the tournament, a Shaheen wicket in the first over – except a measure of classic David Warner at the start and a method to break up the Stoinis-Wade combo at the end.
In the chase, Warner’s 30-ball 49 set the tone, and despite Shadab Khan’s valiant efforts, Pakistan was forced to settle for second place as Australia chased 62 off the last 24 balls to advance to the final of a men’s Twenty20 World Cup for the first time since 2010.