'We don't want him to miss the World Cup': Pakistan head coach Azhar Mahmood sweats over superstar batter's injury status

Pakistan cricket team’s interim head coach Azhar Mahmood clarified the team’s decision to retire hurt Mohammad Rizwan during the third T20I of a five-match series against New Zealand. Notably, Rizwan was withdrawn from the match in Rawalpindi due to discomfort in his hamstring. Azhar cited concerns about his hamstring injury and the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. He also added that they didn’t want to aggravate the wicketkeeper-batter's injury. Rizwan played a knock of 22 runs off 21 balls during the clash before retiring hurt. Apart from Rizwan, Azam Khan was also ruled out of the series due to a calf injury.

Speaking at the press conference after the conclusion of the third T20I, Azhar said how the team is dealing with injury concerns with the T20 World Cup in mind.

"If you would have seen, the boys really worked hard in the Kakul camp, body fatigue might also be there... About Rizwan, he had a niggle, and with the World Cup near, we have seen what kind of a fighter he is, so we did not want to aggravate his injury and miss him in the World Cup. It was the same with Irfan, we pulled him out not because of him suddenly becoming unfit. We have received a setback with Azam too, so we hope he gets fit and joins Pakistan for the World Cup," Azhar said.

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During the conference, Mahmood was asked if the top three are fixed in Pakistan’s batting order.

“I have said this before as well that your top three is fixed but after that we have to look at matchups and decide accordingly. In this match [third T20I] we wanted Rizwan to get some time in the middle since the first match was washed out due to rain. But going forward we will be flexible as far as the batting positions are concerned since one number is not set for a particular player,” Mahmood replied.

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Notably, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were the team’s top three in the batting order during the second and third T20I.

After winning the second T20I, Pakistan’s batting and bowling units failed on April 21. Now, Pakistan will be looking to address their injury setbacks ahead of the 4th T20I against New Zealand on April 25 as they are hoping to gain momentum for the upcoming World Cup. 

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