From Humble Beginnings to National Glory: The Inspirational Journey of Mohammad Rizwan
There was once a boy from a low middle-class family who loved the game of cricket very dearly in Peshawar. The Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar was the pride of Pakistan and it used to host international matches during that era. This stadium, he was yet to see. Then one day he with few of his friends discovered it. Eventually, after a series of several but brief requests for directions, they managed to be at the outside of Arbab Niaz Stadium one evening. Coincidentally, the boy was able to enter as stadium gate remained open. As he did, a groundman approached him and asked: ‘Hey kid what are you doing here? Aren’t?, After all, banned the entrance to the stadium? The boy, terrified, said: “Because I love cricket and wanted to see the stadium? The groundman gave him a slap and removed him out.
No one knew this kid would go on to be a history maker for Pakistan. That boy was none other than Mohammad Rizwan, captain of Pakistan now.
Rizwan made his international debut in 2015. Rizwan didn’t get a chance much in the team because Sarfaraz Ahmed was wicketkeeper. But then Rizwan had an unbelievable tour of New Zealand in the T20I series that December which pretty much sealed his spot across formats in a side having no place for both him and Sarfaraz, with the latter falling out of favour also in ODIs first followed by T20s to eventually moving into Test matches as well specifically pertaining to SENA tours. He also kept putting up superb partnerships with captain Babar Azam during this period, particularly in the World Cup versus India and clinched plenty of matches for Pakistan.
His career has had its share of peaks and valleys but his unwavering faith, as described above, always eclipsed the previous performance and unlocked a number of milestones. He is known for some of the following accomplishments:
Centuries in all three formats of international cricket, including a T20I century against South Africa in 2021
→ Partnering with Babar Azam for the highest T20I partnership for any wicket
Being the recipient of numerous awards like PCB’s Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2021, ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2021.
Rizwan took over as captain of Pakistan’s white-ball side after the 2024 World Cup. He was captain for his maiden series in Australia, leading Pakistan to their first series win down under since 2002. Rizwan looking to bag an ICC trophy for Pakistan What do you think? Is Rizwan finally going to lead Pakistan to Champions Trophy glory? Let me know what you think in the comments section below.
