T20 World Cup 2022: How to stop  Mohammad Rizwan? 

image-l9kwobbpMohammad Rizwan (Source: AP Newsroom)

India will be playing their first match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 against Pakistan at MCG today on the 23rd of October. India will be looking to begin their tournament on a high in a run to redemption for them after their Super 12 elimination last year. 

All the Indian fans will remember how Pakistan dominated the last contest. They won the match by 10 wickets and the Indian bowlers failed to dismiss either of Mohammad Rizwan or Babar Azam. 

Since, then a year has passed by, India have played two more matches against Pakistan. As per recent form Rizwan has been the factor that has been holding the Pakistan batting together. If India can dismiss him at the beginning of the Pakistan innings, it will definitely put pressure on the middle order. 

So, what is the plan India could resort to against Rizwan?

In order to decode Rizwan, we need to get in depth of his batting pattern. If his recent knocks are and indication then:

  • Rizwan begins his knock on an aggressive note along with Babar Azam.
  • As he spends more time on the crease he steadies down, especially if and when Babar Azam is dismissed. 
  • He looks to bat throughout the innings and ensure that wickets don't fall from one end. Rizwan allows the freedom to the big hitters to go after the bowling and increase the team's scoring rate. 

So, if you need to dismiss Rizwan, it should be early in the innings. This is when he is still plagued by the nerves and is looking to settle himself down in the middle while taking the attack to the opposition. 

Weakness of Rizwan

In his recent form it is difficult to point out a particular weakness of Rizwan. But if we see over the time, Rizwan has struggled against short balls directed at his body. Even in the first match of the Asia Cup he faltered against a short delivery by Hardik Pandya. 

image-l9kw9i4pMohammad Rizwan's probable weakness 

Probable Plan

  • Back of length deliveries is a must. But the Indian bowlers should be careful about not overusing them. The short or the back of length deliveries should be well disguised by the bowlers. 
  • The short deliveries should mostly be on the stumps and directed at his body cramping him for room. It must also be kept in mind that erring in line and giving him a slight room might prove fatal for the bowlers. 

Ideal Bowlers

It will be interesting to see the bowling combination India goes in with. If Shami gets a place in the playing XI, he is definitely the bowler to be brought in against Rizwan. From the other end one or two overs of Hardik could be beneficial, as he is a natural at bowling back of a length and his bouncers are often well directed. 

Also Read: IND vs PAK: Key face-offs of the match