Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan has been on the receiving end of criticism for his strike rate in T20 cricket. Rizwan batted with an impressive strike rate of 187.18 as he smashed 73 runs from just 39 deliveries to set the tone for a record-breaking run chase in Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) history.
In the mammoth run chase of 211 against Khulna Tigers, Comilla Victorians opener Litton Das got retired hurt in the first over whereas skipper Imrul Kayes got out for a single-digit score in the third over.
But Rizwan showcased his aggressive side as he smashed Shafiqul islam for three fours and a six in the fifth over. While Johnson Charles took his time, Rizwan smashed 39 runs from 19 deliveries in the powerplay overs.
As Charles got going, Rizwan matched his intensity and got to his half-century from just 24 deliveries in the ninth over. As Charles went berserk, Rizwan's innings came to an end in the 14th over. His 39-ball 73 included eight fours and four sixes.
Charles continued to hit big and guided Victorians to victory in the penultimate over with his unbeaten 107. But it was Rizwan who laid the platform for the run chase which seemed unlikely after Tamim Iqbal (95) and skipper Shai Hope's (91) 186-run partnership for the second wicket.
Recently Rizwan also revealed that he was to play the aggressive role but the franchises want him to play the anchor like he does for Pakistan at international arena.
"It is very difficult role (anchor role in shortest format) and sometimes it looks very embarrassing," the 30-year-old told reporters. "What my experience says and what I know is that whenever someone hires me, they demand me to play the anchor role like the way I do in Pakistan.
"I always assess the condition, assess the opponent and do these kinds of things (anchoring the innings) and sometimes it is embarrassing because in T20 everyone knows we love sixes and they want me to score 60-70 runs from 35-45 balls, but for me it is important to win the match.”
The wicketkeeper-batter had also revealed that he idolises former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers who is known for his extraordinary strokeplay. So far, Rizwan has scored 255 runs from 7 innings at an average of 63.75 and strike rate of 125 in the ongoing BPL 2023 season. Currently, Victorians are placed third on the points table with six wins from nine games.
