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'Babar Has Big Heart, We Working Well' - Rizwan On Ex Opening Partner Amidst PAK's Turmoil

image-lrkoasj4Rizwan and Babar Azam.(x.com)

In a gripping encounter at Christchurch's Hagley Oval, New Zealand secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the fourth T20I, marking their fourth consecutive win in the five-match series and sealing an unassailable 4-0 lead.

Despite an impressive unbeaten score of 90 by Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan faced an early setback when Saim Ayub, struggling with the bat, departed for just one run in the second over of the inning.

Pakistan managed to post a competitive total of 158 for five in 20 overs, largely thanks to Rizwan's exceptional innings. Rizwan's knock included six fours and two sixes during his resilient 63-ball stay at the crease. He formed a crucial 51-run partnership with Babar Azam (19, 11b, 2x4s, 1x6) and further solidified the innings with a 40-run partnership for the fifth wicket alongside Iftikhar Ahmed (10, 14b).

Reflecting on the team's strategy, Rizwan expressed concern about the decision to break the successful opening pair with Babar Azam in T20Is, acknowledging the negative impact it has had on the team.

 "You can say that it [breaking the opening pair] has hurt Pakistan. I can say that Babar Bhai has a big heart. We both agreed that there is no issue [in splitting the opening pair]. We both told the management that they can try whatever combination they want. The difficulty arises when you break things that were already working well. However, management is looking at what can be extracted best from different combinations," Rizwan explained in the post-match press conference.

With their eyes set on redemption, the fifth and final T20I of the series is scheduled at the same venue on Sunday. Notably, Rizwan and Babar Azam hold the record for the highest partnership in T20Is for any wicket for Pakistan, scoring an impressive 203* for the first wicket against England at Karachi on September 22, 2022. The pair of Babar and Rizwan has created partnerships that have resulted in 100 or more runs on eight occasions in T20Is.