It appears that Mohammad Haris may replace Mohammad Rizwan for the third T20I against New Zealand on Monday in Lahore, as Rizwan may be rested due to a back injury. However, sources have indicated that the decision on Rizwan’s availability for the match will depend on his recovery, which will continue to be assessed.
During the second T20I on Saturday, Rizwan had to leave the field in the seventh over of New Zealand’s run-chase due to the injury, with substitute Haris taking over as the wicketkeeper. After the match, Pakistan captain Azam said that Rizwan is feeling better, and that he may only require one game of rest before being able to return to the side.
Second T20I
It is worth noting that Pakistan won the second T20I by 38 runs, with Azam scoring a century and Haris Rauf taking four wickets. New Zealand, who are missing eight players due to the Indian Premier League (IPL) and whose captain Kane Williamson is injured, were restricted to 154-7 in their chase of a target of 193.
Pakistan currently lead the series 2-0
having also won the first T20I on Friday by 88 runs at the same venue. After the T20 series, the two teams will meet in five one-day internationals as part of their preparations for the upcoming 50-over World Cup in India.
This tour by New Zealand serves as a compensation for their last-minute cancellation of their visit to Pakistan in September 2021 due to security concerns. The Black Caps did play two Tests and three ODIs in Pakistan just three months ago.
It seems that Mohammad Rizwan may be replaced in the third New Zealand T20I due to a back issue. During the previous game, he had to leave the field in the seventh over of New Zealand’s chase, with Mohammad Haris taking over as the wicket-keeper.
Babar Azam
However, Babar Azam, the Pakistan captain, did not appear to be too worried and suggested that Rizwan would be back after a brief rest. “Rizwan is feeling better, perhaps a one-game rest for him and he will be back in the side,” Azam was quoted as saying.
Pakistan is just one win away from sealing the five-match series, so they can afford to give Rizwan as much time as he needs to recover. After missing the Afghanistan series, Rizwan made a strong comeback in the New Zealand series, scoring a 34-ball 50 in the second T20I to help his side take a 2-0 lead over the visitors.
Rizwan
Rizwan, along with Babar, is aiming to close the gap on India’s Suryakumar Yadav for the top spot in the T20I rankings. Pakistan will face New Zealand in the third T20I tonight.
Mohammad Rizwan may be rested in the upcoming third T20I match against New Zealand in Lahore on April 17 due to a back injury. During the second T20I match on Saturday, Rizwan left the field in the seventh over of New Zealand’s batting innings, and Mohammad Haris substituted for him as the wicketkeeper.
According to Babar Azam, the Pakistani captain, Rizwan’s condition is improving, and he may return to the team after resting for one match. “Rizwan is feeling better, perhaps a one-game rest for him and he will be back in the side,” Azam said after the match.
In the previous game, the opening pair of Rizwan and Babar provided a strong start of 99 runs to the innings, with Rizwan bringing up his 24th half-century in this format off 29 balls, smashing seven fours and a six. Azam went on to score 101 runs in 58 balls, with the help of 11 fours and three sixes, which helped his side take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
Pakistani cricket