‘Isko khud ko pta isne kya bola?’ – Fans react to Mohammad Rizwan’s ‘not happy at No 5’ statement

Mohammad Rizwan has performed consistently in both ODIs vs New Zealand. He remained not out in both run chases and saw his team beyond the finish line in both. He has played like a true match-winner. However, in a recent press conference, Rizwan opened up on his position in the batting order. He said, “I am not happy to bat at No. 5; I want to play at No. 4, but that doesn’t matter because our team wants me to bat at No. 5. I have never complained; I am here for the coach and captain.”

Former Pakistan allrounder Asif Iqbal recently pipped Mohammad Rizwan as a great fit for the next limited-overs captain for Pakistan. He explained the reasoning behind it by pointing out that Babar Azam would be able to bat freely with less strain on his shoulders. Pakistan may gain from this as the 28-year-old will score many more runs. “If limited overs captaincy is given to Rizwan, Babar can bat with [added] freedom for the team without any extra responsibility,” Asif told Dawn, as quoted by Cricwick.

Pakistan won the first two ODIs in the five-match series vs New Zealand

Azam scored 130 runs, including a century, for Pakistan in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand at an average of 43.33 and a strike rate of 146.07. Despite Pakistan winning the first two games, the series concluded in a 2-2 draw. The first two games of the five-match ODI series between the two sides were victories by Pakistan.

Pakistan squad for ODI series against New Zealand: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir

New Zealand squad for ODI series against Pakistan: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young

Here’s how fans reacted:

Rizu ki jagah 4 pr hi bnti hai

— Us+Man ❤️✨ (@UsmanHere17) May 1, 2023

Ye bhi keh dia I'm not happy ye bhi k complain nh kru ga wah

— Junaid Malik (@JunaidMalikJM1) May 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/act_yash/status/1652996769494740996

Shud be given a proper number where he is more comfortable y management is reshuffling his number If he is not satisfied

— Tulip (@fayona94662772) May 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/AntiMlechh/status/1653005558407139335

https://twitter.com/Mustafa54147068/status/1653002176979955712

Team management ko message bhej diya😂

— Anish (Modi ka Parivar) (@anish2tweet) May 1, 2023

https://twitter.com/kritiitweets/status/1652993416127733760