Analysing Mohammad Rizwan's T20I Numbers: The Data Which Justifies His Asia Cup Snub

Rizwan T20I stats analysed [Source: AP Photo]

Pakistan cricket dropped a shocker as they revealed their Asia Cup squad, but Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan found no place in the team. Moreover, the duo was also dropped from PCB’s top category in the Central Contract, a move which indicated that PCB are now thinking beyond them across formats.

After they were snubbed from the team, Pakistan’s former coach, Mickey Arthur, dropped a bombshell and revealed that both players are beyond their best and their T20 approach is outdated.

“Both Babar and Rizwan are excellent players, but cricket has evolved. They are not perfect for the kind of cricket needed to play in T20s today,” Arthur said.

But how true is the comment made by Arthur?. Is he too harsh on Rizwan and Babar?. In this piece, we will solely focus on Rizwan to dissect his T20I numbers.

Mohammad Rizwan's overall T20I stats

(Rizwan T20I stats)

• As the numbers suggests, Rizwan has played 106 matches, and while he maintains a great average, his strike rate in T20Is is questionable. The Pakistan keeper strikes at a meagre 125.37, which showcases his inability to attack the bowlers. This often creates pressure on the other batters.
• While 3414 runs in 106 T20Is is no easy feat to achieve, but one has to remember that in this format, strike rate is what matters, and more often than not, Rizwan's runs lead to Pakistan's loss.

There is also a glaring weakness when it comes to Rizwan's numbers at home, and in away conditions.

Mohammad Rizwan T20I stats at home

(Rizwan T20I stats at home)

• Rizwan turns on beast mode when playing at home. As compared to his overall numbers, his stats go up when playing in Pakistan. In home conditions, Pakistan batters get flat surfaces, and hence, the numbers shoot up.
• At home, he has nearly 1000 runs, with an average of 65.26, and a strike rate of 140, which is 15 points higher than his overall T20I strike rate of 125.

Mohammad Rizwan T20I stats in away conditions

(Rizwan stats away from home)

• This is where things get interesting as Mohammad Rizwan's away T20I numbers drop massively from his home stats.
• At home, he averages 65, with a strike rate of 140. However, away from home, the average drops down, and the strike rate comes drastically down to just 122.62, which is less than his overall T20I stats.
• The reason is that at home, Rizwan gets an easier surface to bat, however, as he plays in tricky away conditions, the keeper-batter finds it difficult to adjust, and hence, there is a significant drop in his numbers.

Final verdict

As harsh as it may sound, but Mickey Arthur's comments is justifiable. While Rizwan has excelled at home, but he finds it hard to adjust to the away conditions. Moreover, with a low strike rate of 125, he finds it hard to accelerate, and it puts pressure on other batters to play the aggressive shots. Hence, PCB's decision to drop him was also justified.

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