KARACHI: Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Rawalpindiz captain Mohammad Rizwan has said that it becomes difficult to stay positive when you are losing.
Speaking to the media after the defeat against Lahore Qalandars, Rizwan said his own performance was not good, which affected the team’s result. He said there must have been some shortcomings from his side, which is why the result went against them. He added that he was opening the innings with a young player.
Reflecting on his stint in the Big Bash League, Rizwan admitted that he had been upfront about his struggles at the time and never avoided self-criticism. Stressing accountability, Rizwan acknowledged his shortcomings but said he has no intention of stepping away from the game during a difficult phase.
“We are all human. I have admitted from the start that I made mistakes and my performances haven’t been good enough. But that doesn’t mean I will lose heart, sit here defeated, or quit cricket. As long as I have the strength, I will keep going. If not, I have even gone to the Pakistan captain and said my form wasn’t good enough and that younger players should be given a chance,” he said.
Responding to criticism over his recent performances, he reiterated that he is open to scrutiny and willing to answer tough questions. He further said that while he does have preferences regarding his batting position, the final decision is always taken collectively by the team management.
He noted that Zaman Khan got injured, Naseem Shah was also injured, and two foreign players did not arrive. “When you lose, it becomes hard to take positives, but there were still some good things. A leader should not be judged only by results,” he said.
Rizwan added that when looking at the team, it does not seem like there are major issues, but luck is not going their way. “As a captain, you can try your best, but if mistakes happen, then there is little you can do,” he said.
He further spoke about his passion for cricket, saying the game remains his only focus in life despite current struggles. “For me, cricket is a passion — it comes first. Whether it’s T20Is, Tests, or ODIs, I love playing cricket. I don’t know anything else in life. I have no business, and I don’t play any other sport,” he said.
“Yes, I’ve failed recently. I’m sitting here without performances to show. Maybe I didn’t work hard enough. Perhaps I’ll come back stronger with more effort and face you again. But right now, my hard work wasn’t enough — and that’s why these are the results,” he added. The Rawalpindiz captain said cricket is his passion and he knows nothing else. “I will work hard and make a comeback,” he concluded.
