Former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram has joined the likes of people criticizing Mohammad Rizwan for his approach in the final against Sri Lanka. Rizwan opened the chase for Pakistan when they needed to surpass 170 to win the Asia Cup. Skipper Babar Azam continuing his form in the tournament, walked off quickly. Rizwan, on the other hand, set on the pitch quite well.
But as it turned out as the chase unfolded, Rizwan had settled in quite too well. Rizwan scored 55 off 49 deliveries, keeping the strike rate at 112.24. While others failed to find their feet, Rizwan failed to accelerate the innings at the correct time. Eventually, when the required run rate climbed as high as 16, Rizwan got out trying to clear the boundary. The netizens are thrashing Rizwan for his intent ever since then.
Wasim Akram iterated similar views while in a conversation with former Indian player Sanjay Manjrekar for a show. Akram, moreover, informed that he received online hate when he expressed his concern over Rizwan for his approach. Manjrekar, too added his views which turned out to be similar to many.
“At the beginning of the tournament, I had said that the openers won’t mess up but struggle in games like these. That’s exactly what happened today,” Akram told.
Wasim Akram has his take on opening pair of Rizwan and Babar!#SLvPAK #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/QfMf59reMz
— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) September 11, 2022
“I’m very skeptical about ‘anchoring’ in T20 cricket. It’s overrated because you have got 10 wickets and 20 overs. I like India’s new template and Sri Lanka also didn’t have anybody who played the role of an anchor. It’s unfair to pick one guy but he (Rizwan) is a glaring example of Pakistan’s approach. You can’t have Rizwan batting at strike rate of 104 in the 16th over when you are chasing 171,” added Sanjay Manjrekar.
“He (Rizwan) had done the same thing against Hong Kong if you remember. I criticized him, which was healthy criticism. And people attacked me on social media. Pakistan people said that I don’t support Rizwan. If you want my opinion, I will give you the right and straightforward opinion. I am not the guy who will lie about what I see. Black is black and white is white for me,” said Akram in response to Manjrekar.
