Pakistan's wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan suffered massive criticism after Pakistan lost the last T20I against New Zealand on April 24 in Rawalpindi.
Rizwan scored 98 not out as Pakistan posted 193-5 in 20 overs. However, fans and followers noticed that Rizwan slowed down while nearing to his second T20I century. Pakistan could only score 28 runs in the last three overs.
In the last over of the innings, Imad Wasim tried to take a single to give Rizwan, who was batting on 98, strike so that he gets to his hundred. Fans and followers of the game didn't like this mindset.
While explaining this matter during a press conference in Karachi today, Rizwan said the message from the dressing room was that something around 180 would be good enough to win the match.
"We came out from a phase where we were 50-3. The message we got from the dressing was that something around 180 would be good on this pitch. So, our discussion was to score runs accordingly," he shared.
"There was no conversation about taking a single. When we were near 190, Imad said it was good enough on this pitch and that's why he went for a single there," he recalled.
Imad tried to take a single on fourth delivery of the last over but unluckily got run-out. In the end, Rizwan also couldn't complete his century.
"Had we won, no one would have crticised us. Still, we accept that it was our mistake and the criticism is on point," he maintained.
"Also, we remained unlucky as there was due factor and also we misfielded quite often. We lost, that's why we are facing a lot of questions," he added.
In reply to a question, Rizwan said that 'personal milestones' don't bother him.
"I don't focus on personal milestones. I am sure Fakhar Zaman was also not thinking about his 3,000 runs. Maybe, he had something about this at the back of his mind, but I am not sure," he said.
"For me, personal milestones don't matter. What matters is the plan which is given to us by the captain. Our captain always asks to perform and that is the only thing matters to us. Everyone has their opinion and we respect that," he responded.
Muzamil Asif