Rizwan Struggles as NZ Wins ODI Series
The wicketkeeping batter managed to score 30 off 34 balls when the Men in Green were chasing a 345-run target in the first game in Napier.
The second PAK vs NZ game saw Rizwan score just five runs off 27 balls before falling to New Zealand’s Ben Sears.
However, it was Will O’Rourke who gave a tough time to the Pakistan captain, who found it hard to pick the length of the ball.
The right-arm pacer beat Muhammad Rizwan multiple times on off-stump deliveries, while he also survived a close LBW call.
The wicket-keeping batter also copped a painful blow to his right arm when he misjudged the bounce of a delivery bowled by Will O’Rourke.
Hay shines as New Zealand beats Pakistan for ODI series win
Video footage of New Zealand pacer’s spell to the Pakistan captain in the second PAK vs NZ has since been making rounds on social media as fans and cricket analysts lamented Rizwan’s struggles against off-stump deliveries.
Speaking on the show Sports Room, sports journalist Shahid Hashmi called Rizwan’s inning disappointing.
“Rizwan was dancing to O’Rourke’s deliveries. He got hit on his arm and pads. It looked like a new batsman was playing an experienced bowler,” he said.
Hashmi also criticized Muhammad Rizwan’s decision to put Sufiyan Muqeem out of the attack when New Zealand batters were struggling to play him in the second PAK vs NZ game.
“Abbas and Mitchell Hay survived close calls in the 28th over bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem. They should have made him bowl another over,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan are set to face New Zealand on Saturday in the third and final ODI, reduced to a dead rubber as the home side won the first two games.
The national side has also suffered a 1-4 defeat in the PAK vs NZ T20I, played before the ODIs.
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