In a move that has left fans scratching their heads, Pakistan’s ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan was recently spotted playing club cricket in Peshawar instead of competing in the ongoing National T20 Cup.
And yes, this is happening right after Pakistan’s disastrous Champions Trophy campaign, where the team failed to win a single match and crashed out at the bottom of Group A.
Rizwan’s Surprise Decision
After Pakistan’s embarrassing Champions Trophy exit, Mohammad Rizwan took some time off to perform Umrah. That makes sense—players often take spiritual breaks, especially after tough tournaments.
But what happened next caught everyone by surprise. Instead of returning to professional cricket in the National T20 Cup, Rizwan was seen playing club cricket in Peshawar. And not just that—he reportedly smashed an unbeaten century.
His pictures and videos quickly went viral on social media, sparking debates among fans. Why is the country’s ODI captain playing club cricket instead of a national tournament?
Left Out of the New Zealand T20I Series
It’s also worth noting that Rizwan was not picked for the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand. The selectors decided to rest senior players, possibly looking to groom younger talent after the Champions Trophy failure.
Pakistan’s start to the five-match series wasn’t great either. In the first T20I, they were bowled out for just 91 runs, their lowest total while batting first in T20Is. New Zealand chased it down with ease, losing just one wicket and sealing the win with a massive 59 balls to spare.
That loss only fueled frustration among fans. With Pakistan struggling, some are now questioning whether Rizwan’s absence from the team was the right call.
What Does This Mean for Mohammad Rizwan?
Rizwan’s decision to play club cricket instead of domestic T20 has sparked mixed reactions. Some believe he’s just staying in touch with the game, while others see it as a lack of commitment to professional cricket.
One thing is certain—this move will raise eyebrows among selectors and PCB officials. Pakistan is already in a transition phase, and with the T20 World Cup on the horizon, questions over leadership and team selection will only get louder.
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