‘Had I been 20 minutes late in reaching the hospital, both my windpipe would have burst’: Mohammed Rizwan

Following his valiant knock of 67 off 52 in the second semi-final of the T20 World Cup against Australia, Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan shared his terrible experience of spending two days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Rizwan also revealed how the delay of a few minutes would have made things worst for him.

"When I went to the hospital, I wasn't breathing. The doctor's kept telling me I'll soon be discharged but I ended up staying two days in ICU. One of the nurses told me that had I been 20 minutes late in reaching the hospital, both my windpipe would have burst," Rizwan revealed in a video shared by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Moreover, the wicketkeeper batter shared how the doctors encouraged him before the big game against Aaron Finch’s side.

"They used to conduct regular tests but the constant thought in my mind was that I'll soon get fit to play the match. The doctor told me that he wanted me to play the semi-final for Pakistan which gave me a boost," the Pakistan opener said.

Despite Rizwan’s heroics, Pakistan lost the semi-final by five wickets and were knocked out by the new T20 World Cup champions Australia. On speaking of the slow start in the powerplay overs by the Men in Green’s openers, Rizwan backed their strategy of playing cautiously and not losing wickets early.

"Our strength has been the way we bat in the powerplay. Yes, I admit we didn't score as many we should have, we didn't hit as many sixes, but if you compare our performance with other teams', we didn't throw away our wickets and set the platform for our power hitters," the 29-year-old asserted.

Pakistan will now travel to Dhaka for the three-match T20I series and two-match Test series. 

Bangladesh vs Pakistan schedule

November 19: First T20I, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

November 20: Second T20I, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

November 22: Third T20I, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

November 26-30: First Test, Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram

December 04-08: Second Test, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka