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Pakistan are taking on New Zealand in a five-match T20I series. However, they once again failed to end their losing streak as they suffered a seven-wicket loss at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Friday, 19th January. While Mohammad Rizwan scored an unbeaten 90, he failed to get support from other batters as Pakistan posted 158/5 in the 20 overs.
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A fter this heartbreaking loss, the wicketkeeper-batter spoke of the team’s decision of bringing in changes in the team combination. With the pair of Rizwan and Babar Azam holding the record of most successful opening partnerships in T20Is, the latter has been demoted to No. 3 and Rizwan pinpointed this move to be “hurtful”.
“Yes, you can say the split has hurt us (nuksaan hua hai). The team management and the captain talked to us (me and Babar). Mohammad Hafeez also talked to us. Babar bhai has a big heart. We both agreed on the decision of splitting the opening pair and said there is no issue,” said Rizwan after loss in the fourth T20I against New Zealand.
“The whole nation thought we had a good thing (partnership) going at the top of the batting order. But the management is working on the best that can be achieved from this team. Hafeez and Shaheen never said that we won’t ever partner up at the top in future. T hey are trying different combinations and looking for the best,” he further added.
The Men in Green will eye a consolation win as they take on New Zealand in the final T20I at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Sunday, January 21st.
