Mohammad Rizwan top-scored for Pakistan in the semi-final with a 67-run knock against Australia. One day before the semi-final clash there were reports that Rizwan (along with Shoaib Malik) may not be a part of the knockout match as he woke up with mild fever. However, the wicketkeeper-batter was declared fit and opened for Pakistan in the semi-final. Pakistan’s batting coach Mathew Hayden was all praises for the batter who scored his third half-century in the tournament.
In the mid-innings break, Hayden revealed that the 29-year-old was in hospital on November 10 night and hailed his “warrior” spirit.
“Rizwan was in hospital a night ago, suffering from a bronchitis condition, but this is a warrior, a quiet start to tonight's campaign, but he has great courage, so has Babar, fantastic to see them combine so well,” Hayden told the broadcasters.
Pakistan team doctor Najeeb Somroo also revealed these details in the post-match press conference after the side's ouster from the mega-event.
"Mohammad Rizwan developed a severe chest infection on 9th of November after which he was admitted to the hospital. He spent two nights in the ICU recovering. He made an incredible recovery and was deemed fit before the match," Somroo said.
Pakistan's skipper, Babar Azam heaped praise on his companion, Rizwan after his valiant knock against the Aussies.
"We can see his great determination and tenacity that shows his spirit of performing for the country. And we can see how he performed today," Babar said while praising Rizwan.
"When I saw him, he was a little bit down, but when I asked him about his health he said, 'no, I will play'. Definitely he's a team man. The way he played today, it was exceptional. And the way he played today he showed that he's a team man. And I am very confident about his attitude and his performance. We can see his great determination and tenacity that shows his spirit of performing for the country. And we can see how he performed today," Pakistan skipper added.
A bruised and battered Rizwan helped his side lay a platform for a big total before Fakhar Zaman unleashed a barrage of fours and sixes in death overs. Rizwan hit three fours and four sixes in his innings. He also became the first batter to score 1,000 or more T20I runs in a calendar year.
One day before the semi-final clash, Hayden had also forecasted that an out-of-form Zaman will play a big role.
"Don't be surprised if you see something incredibly special from Fakhar Zaman tomorrow, because he is smashing the ball in the nets," the 50-year-old had said.
The southpaw repaid the faith of the coaching staff and his captain as he scored an unbeaten 55 off 32 deliveries including three fours and fours sixes. In the last over, he hit Australia’s death overs specialist Mitchell Starc for two sixes to reach his maiden T20 World Cup fifty.
