Pakistan captain Babar Azam was full of praise for Mohammad Rizwan after they won the fifth T20I against England at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore on Wednesday. Rizwan scored 63 runs off just 46 balls with the help of two fours and three sixes to help his team post a fighting score of 145 runs on the board after Moeen Ali won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Rizwan was able to hold one end up and scored a gutsy knock on a difficult pitch.
On the other hand, Babar Azam also showered praise on Shadab Khan, who was making a return to the team. Khan got the big wicket of Harry Brook and conceded only 25 runs in his quota of four overs.
Furthermore, the debutant Aamer Jamal was given the task of defending 15 runs in the final over and he was able to deliver the goods as the hosts won by six runs.
Speaking on the positives for the team, Babar Azam said in the post-match presentation, “Shadab, the way he came back, the way he started was nice to see especially after an injury. The way Rizwan built the innings, the pitch was two-paced and he played well. The confidence of Aamer Jamal was high and he was confident he could do it in that last over. To win T20Is, you need wickets and in the middle overs, Shadab produced that. These things build up the team and give us confidence.”
On the other hand, Mohammad Rizwan was awarded the Player of the match for his fine knock. Rizwan gave credit to the team’s bowlers for the win.
He said after the game, “Just a bruise, there is swelling as well but the doctor said he will ice it and god-willing it will come down in the morning [on the knock]. The pitch was two-paced and thankfully the target we set was enough but the pitch was tricky. It was a good score on this pitch, we could’ve finished on 160 with the start we got. But our bowlers should get the credit for the way they bowled.”
Pakistan has taken a 3-2 lead in the series and their bowlers have played a key role in the last two matches.
The sixth T20I will be played at the same venue on Friday.
