We tend to keep wickets in hand: Rizwan defends openers' approach

Mohammad Rizwan / Source: Twitter

Mohammad Rizwan lavished praise on Mohammad Nawaz for his match-winning knock of 45 runs off 20 balls, which helped Pakistan squeeze past Bangladesh by seven wickets in the penultimate match of the ongoing tri-series in New Zealand. 

Chasing the stiff target of 174 runs in 20 overs, Pakistan's openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan once again provided the team a flying start, clobbering up a partnership worth 101 runs before Babar was sent packing for a 40-ball 55. 

Haider Ali, who was promoted to No. 3 followed the skipper back to the dugout, scoring a two-ball duck. Pakistan was pushed to the back foot after two back-to-back setbacks and needed a quickfire knock to keep the momentum going.  

Nawaz, coming at No. 4 stepped up to the occasion and played a whirlwind knock of 45 runs off just 20 deliveries, laced with five boundaries and a monstrous six to help Pakistan record a thrilling win over Bangla Tigers.

Speaking in the post-match conference, Rizwan opened up on the batting conditions at Hagley Oval, saying it was a tough wicket to bat on and that the Bangladesh bowlers bowled really well. 

"Credit to the Bangladeshi bowlers, they bowled really well. Starts are important in chases, so we wanted to keep wickets for the last 10 overs. Credit to Nawaz for his innings on this slightly sticky pitch." 

The wicket-keeper batter further defended his batting approach alongside skipper Babar Azam, saying the opening duo believes in reading the conditions well before going bang bang with the bat. 

"Some of our batters went deep, some went from the first ball, Nawaz's innings were outstanding. It was a difficult chase, it's a team game, and we tend to keep wickets in hand with power hitters down the order. 

"Babar and I always keep in mind the conditions as we go out to play. We will work hard and hopefully, the results will come." 

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