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[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Is it time to drop Mohammad Rizwan from Pakistan's Test side?

MenInG

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The manner of dismissals aside, the state of the game at which he has given his wicket away or not been able to perform is not what is needed from a 'keeper-batter.

I am afraid time may be up for Rizwan in this format.

The best time to make this statement to him so that he can improve himself would be for the NZ Test series.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mohammad Rizwan's poor run of form continues. His last 12 scores in Test cricket:<br><br>7<br>19<br>30<br>10<br>46<br>29<br>37<br>24<br>40<br>19<br>0<br>1<br><br>262 runs at an average of 21.83<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvENG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvENG</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1604881969363488768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2022</a></blockquote>
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He's being used in the top 6 as a batsmen which he's simply not up to task. Like kamran and Sarfaraz before him he played 1 or 2 good knocks, team management get carried away thinking he's a top 6 batter all of a sudden. To many nice 20s and 30s which don't win matches. Time to be dropped and no that doesn't mean going back to sarfaraz. Time to blood a new keeper.
 
Absolutely. Get someone like Mohammad Haris in.
 
Pakistan fans and journalist are baying for the blood of Ramiz and Babar.

Rizwan will be the beneficiary of all of this. He will be made the captain as he will be the “out of the box” thinking appointment

He’s going nowhere
 
Agree, while Rizwan has been found out he can still get away in white ball with some tweaking - in red ball, all his technical deficiencies will be awfully exposed so he should not be playing this format anymore.

And investing in Sarfaraz anymore doesnt make any sense, considering we are already out of WTC final contention. Might as well take this time to groom a new WK+batsman for the next cycle.
 
He's got credit in the bank for selling his brand of piety and self righteousness. He knew the writing was on the wall that's why he sold the brand early and reaped the goodwill as a result.

There aren't any strong alternatives either, that's why he's not getting dropped.
 
He's got credit in the bank for selling his brand of piety and self righteousness. He knew the writing was on the wall that's why he sold the brand early and reaped the goodwill as a result.

There aren't any strong alternatives either, that's why he's not getting dropped.

Along with his piety, he has done well to win the fan base of Babar by looking to tag alongside him knowing that the camera’s follow Babar.

He is always hugging him and consoling him as if he is his only well wisher. No one is allowed in the space of Babar when Rizwan is around him
 
Rizwan has a cult following now. If anything, his position has only become stronger & there will be calls by his cult to make him captain.

He is not going anywhere until he becomes the captain & then gets sacked because no matter who leads the team, Pakistan will keep losing.
 
One factor that keeps getting overlooked is how much he has declined as a keeper. He has been a very ordinary keeper across formats for over a year now.

However, like Babar, he is above & beyond criticism because their hardcore fans will be on your throat in no time.
 
Players live and die by the stats and his stats are pretty average but until you find someone better, t he stays. People laughed when I said Safraz needs to stay and be competitive to keep Riz on his toes, hopefully some of you will understand what I meant
 
One factor that keeps getting overlooked is how much he has declined as a keeper. He has been a very ordinary keeper across formats for over a year now.

However, like Babar, he is above & beyond criticism because their hardcore fans will be on your throat in no time.

Has he dropped catches or missed stampings or something?
 
He should be dropped , but has a strong lobby backing him, won't happen.

Yes he should be rested ( dropping is a curse word in Pakistan ) and replaced by young Haseeb or anyone new, not back to evenly useless Sarfraz.
 
His form has been alarming here. I'd say the last thing I'd do is play him at 7 and Agha at 6.
 
Along with his piety, he has done well to win the fan base of Babar by looking to tag alongside him knowing that the camera’s follow Babar.

He is always hugging him and consoling him as if he is his only well wisher. No one is allowed in the space of Babar when Rizwan is around him

Yup, he’s been squeezing the juice wherever he can. He knows how to play it, that’s why he’s revelling in this T20 partnership with Babar even though its timed out.
 
There's no doubting his grit and hard work, but like Azhar he's a self-made batsman with little talent or strokeplaying ability.

He debuted in 2015 and struggled against legspin. He was horrible on tours of AUS in 2017 and SAF in 2018/19. He averaged something like 19 at a SR of 96 in T20Is before his comeback in 2020 in NZ.

He then occupied the opening slot - the easiest position to bat in T20s - and had a purple patch mainly on back of legside hacking before teams brutally worked him out in World Cup, realising he has little offside game.

However Sarfraz wasn't pulling up any trees before his removal either.

Think a hard nosed coach is needed to whip these boys into shape and stop them believing their own hype.
 
There's no doubting his grit and hard work, but like Azhar he's a self-made batsman with little talent or strokeplaying ability.

He debuted in 2015 and struggled against legspin. He was horrible on tours of AUS in 2017 and SAF in 2018/19. He averaged something like 19 at a SR of 96 in T20Is before his comeback in 2020 in NZ.

He then occupied the opening slot - the easiest position to bat in T20s - and had a purple patch mainly on back of legside hacking before teams brutally worked him out in World Cup, realising he has little offside game.

However Sarfraz wasn't pulling up any trees before his removal either.

Think a hard nosed coach is needed to whip these boys into shape and stop them believing their own hype.

This is why I keep reiterating that we need either Ponting or Langer as our coach

Appointing Andy Flower will only give him more power. Flower loves Rizwan and Masood, but then again…Pakistan doesn’t have Rousow and David to save their blushes in the middle
 
He needs to go not only from the Test side, but also from the ODI side.

And it shouldn't be an indictment on Rizwan's ability. It's just that his form has stagnated and Pakistan needs a new WK batsman. Pakistan needs to create bench strength. Moin and Rashid alternated their places throughout the 1990s and it was good for both of them. Something similar needs to happen now as well. But I don't think Sarfraz is the answer. He might play some good innings in patches but he's not who we should be looking for for the future.
 
U believe a "rest" is due His technique is all over the place having played so many t20s over the last year or so

Get an alternative keeper in for now N let rizwan work out his issues
 
Shahid Afridi spoke about the "workload" on players who are playing all formats and how "senior players" who are sitting around could take their place....

Will Rizwan play tomorrow?
 
Shahid Afridi spoke about the "workload" on players who are playing all formats and how "senior players" who are sitting around could take their place....

Will Rizwan play tomorrow?

Get a feeling he will be dropped and so he should be, hes been poor all year in tests.
 
Get a feeling he will be dropped and so he should be, hes been poor all year in tests.

I feel he will be relieved! Maybe needs a break. Let Sarfaraz get back in and see what he can do
 
Has Rizwan been rested or dropped? Only time will tell.
 
Agree rizwan probably needs to dropped for a few matches but selecting sarfraz is ridiculous
 
I feel he will be relieved! Maybe needs a break. Let Sarfaraz get back in and see what he can do

Rizwan needs to work on his game, at same time going back to sarfaraz makes zero sense though.
 
If rizzu bhai can score big tomorrow all will be forgiven

Time for rizzu bhai to prove how great he his 🫡
 
Pakistan fans and journalist are baying for the blood of Ramiz and Babar.

Rizwan will be the beneficiary of all of this. He will be made the captain as he will be the “out of the box” thinking appointment

He’s going nowhere
Still stand by this
 
2000 runs for Mohammad Rizwan in Tests. He gets to the milestone in his 57th innings
 
Unlucky or a real nothing shot?

Mohammad Rizwan departs after scoring 3 off 7 on Day 3 of the first Test against South Africa

kuzhehU.jpg
 
He needs the competition of Safaraz. As I have said many times on here our WKs are only good as long as they are fighting for a place in the team. As soon they feel they own the seat, they become placent
 
He needs the competition of Safaraz. As I have said many times on here our WKs are only good as long as they are fighting for a place in the team. As soon they feel they own the seat, they become placent

Good point actually.
Some wicket keepers get into a comfort zone.

Same story with Rishabh Pant
 
Drop him from the Test side and he will demand to remain in ODI and T20 for another 15 years!

Oh bhai tu Test main hi reh!
 
Unlucky or a real nothing shot?

Mohammad Rizwan departs after scoring 3 off 7 on Day 3 of the first Test against South Africa

kuzhehU.jpg
What’s unlucky?

The guy survives or gets lucky with so many instances and deliveries with his flimsy technique

Totally justified
 
NO. That would be ridiculous.
He has too much on his plate though. Pakistan should have moved on from him (and Babar) in T20 after the debacle early this year. 2 Years ago really but that's for a different day. They have given him the keys to the kingdom. He is now going to stay in the job until the 2026 WT20. Disaster.

Just too much to handle for a 32 year old. If you want to be hyper critical, his returns are a bit up and down for a premier bat but it's alright when you take account of his workload.

Finding his deputy must be priority number 1. The man cannot play every game.
 
Can the ardent Rizwan fans explain to me,

Why does this guy put more of a price on his wicket in T20s (still doesn’t do the required damage) than he does in Test cricket? How is he averaging 47 in T20s and then 41 in Test?? It makes no sense, he’s clearly confused, or is a total fraud!

How is he willing to take more risks playing Test cricket than he does in T20 cricket as an opener in the powerplay???
 
Can the ardent Rizwan fans explain to me,

Why does this guy put more of a price on his wicket in T20s (still doesn’t do the required damage) than he does in Test cricket? How is he averaging 47 in T20s and then 41 in Test?? It makes no sense, he’s clearly confused, or is a total fraud!

How is he willing to take more risks playing Test cricket than he does in T20 cricket as an opener in the powerplay???
I've never heard of a single all format cricketer who averages higher in t20 then test


Rizwan is the first one.
 
NO. That would be ridiculous.
He has too much on his plate though. Pakistan should have moved on from him (and Babar) in T20 after the debacle early this year. 2 Years ago really but that's for a different day. They have given him the keys to the kingdom. He is now going to stay in the job until the 2026 WT20. Disaster.

Just too much to handle for a 32 year old. If you want to be hyper critical, his returns are a bit up and down for a premier bat but it's alright when you take account of his workload.

Finding his deputy must be priority number 1. The man cannot play every game.
You would first need to persuade Rizwan to accept having a deputy before everyone starts searching for one. Rizwan has misled people by not performing against top teams while piling up runs against weaker, second-tier teams. This inflates his averages, making him look like a decent player. He would never agree to having a deputy because it would mean missing out on playing against second-tier teams and lower-ranked teams, and he wouldn't be able to fool the world anymore.
 
This is “catch me if you can” level con art! Leonardo DiCapreo could have added a stint as Rizwan the cricketer alongside being a fraud pilot, teacher and doctor.
Catch me if you can itself is a con. The real life book was a fabrication. Irl he was just a very good fraud account manager who wrote a book that got turned into a movie.

99% of the movie is fake as is the book. Solid movie, but fake news.

But I'm not surprised, we may get a movie about rizwan where they show him as the best odi and test player pakistan has ever had 🤣🤣.

Will probs show some sob story about difficult and abusive childhood, followed by years of struggling, followed by rizwan having a resurgence and becoming t20 bradman .
 
Sarfraz Ahmed is a walking wicket outside Asia.

Maybe its time to invest guys like Haseebullah or Rohail Nazir. Rizwan will probably still be the main wicket keeper in tests till 2025-2026.
 
Another mental midget who departs the scene when needed.
 
Genuine question, Rizwan is 32, will turn 33 next year.

Is pakistan not in the mood to find an all format wicket keeping replacement? Or is rizwan gonna play till 40 to 42 just like Misbah?
 
Genuine question, Rizwan is 32, will turn 33 next year.

Is pakistan not in the mood to find an all format wicket keeping replacement? Or is rizwan gonna play till 40 to 42 just like Misbah?
Who are the all format wicket keepers.
 
Who are the all format wicket keepers.
Rizwan plays tests, odi and t20.

So far every side typically has 2 or 3 keepers for formats for example Australia has Carey for tests, Inglis and Carey alternate for odi's and Inglish is for t20.

Pakistan is relying on rizwan left and right.

However he is 32. Will be 33. And most likely if I'm a betting boy, he's probs age fudged just like shaheen, chacha and a few others have.

But even if he hasn't he probs has about 4 to 6 years of cricket left in him.

So? What's Pakistan's plan? Pakistan had to opt for Umar akmal as a keeper for years because Pakistan had such poor planning for developing a keeper.

So what's the plan for when rizzu is gone? Cause he will decline, not that he's good as is atm.
 
Rizwan plays tests, odi and t20.

So far every side typically has 2 or 3 keepers for formats for example Australia has Carey for tests, Inglis and Carey alternate for odi's and Inglish is for t20.

Pakistan is relying on rizwan left and right.

However he is 32. Will be 33. And most likely if I'm a betting boy, he's probs age fudged just like shaheen, chacha and a few others have.

But even if he hasn't he probs has about 4 to 6 years of cricket left in him.

So? What's Pakistan's plan? Pakistan had to opt for Umar akmal as a keeper for years because Pakistan had such poor planning for developing a keeper.

So what's the plan for when rizzu is gone? Cause he will decline, not that he's good as is atm.

To be honest Haris will proberly be next t20 keeper.But in odis and tests am not sure becouse Haseebullah is crap.Rohail Nazir is ok at best.
 
Rizwan gone after making 41, this will hurt Pakistan bad as they were finally looking threatening after overcoming the mammoth deficit of 422 runs.
 
Diabolical batting from him, that’s what he is. Boils my blood. Pulls out his Ninja moves whenever he is under fire, and attempts shots he doesn’t have the ability to play and they will sell us this innings as him going out on his shield, my foot. Averaging 40 in this era is nothing, it is like 25-30 from the past and he has not played a meaningful Test knock in forever, Pak are basically carrying a specialist keeper.
 
Diabolical batting from him, that’s what he is. Boils my blood. Pulls out his Ninja moves whenever he is under fire, and attempts shots he doesn’t have the ability to play and they will sell us this innings as him going out on his shield, my foot. Averaging 40 in this era is nothing, it is like 25-30 from the past and he has not played a meaningful Test knock in forever, Pak are basically carrying a specialist keeper.
Carrying him to become captain too
 
Diabolical batting from him, that’s what he is. Boils my blood. Pulls out his Ninja moves whenever he is under fire, and attempts shots he doesn’t have the ability to play and they will sell us this innings as him going out on his shield, my foot. Averaging 40 in this era is nothing, it is like 25-30 from the past and he has not played a meaningful Test knock in forever, Pak are basically carrying a specialist keeper.
So do Australia. Is there a better alternative?.
 
So do Australia. Is there a better alternative?.

Australia can afford to, and their’s hasn’t been involved in so many high profile defeats and being the trigger. You drop him & start searching for the best available, there’s no such thing as no one better because you groom the next keeper batter for the future, what are they doing on that front ?
 
Australia can afford to, and their’s hasn’t been involved in so many high profile defeats and being the trigger. You drop him & start searching for the best available, there’s no such thing as no one better because you groom the next keeper batter for the future, what are they doing on that front ?
Leaving Test cricket at this rate
 
I think, to manage his work load (and expectations from fans), Rizwan should stop keeping in ODI (T20 WKeeping hardly that much stressful) and play as a specialist No. 4 - he probably will lead till 2027 WC, but can play ODIs may be till 2031 as specialist bat, but won't last long if he carries WKeeping for three formats. Still a very good ODI batsman for No. 4, probably the best spin player (I saw his shot to Maharaj today.... still) along with Saud in the team and he can loft spinners with 5 fielders on line - no question as a batsman in ODI and led the side brilliantly. He'll be PAK Captain for 2027 WC, I believe.

For Test, there is actually not many alternatives, he is almost only option for next few years, even if he might not like to prolong his Test career - I had high hopes for that U19 Captain guy, but he became so insignificant that I forgot his name. Younger WKs are not that good with gloves while Sarfraz is too old for Test - Rizwan will be PAK Test WK for another 4 years at least, unless he himself decides to retire. But, may be he can switch position with Aga and move down to 6 - someone batting at top 5 is expected to bat like a batsman, which often is difficult for a Wk, for that most WK's opt to bat at 6 or 7. I think, even Pant will drop down to 6 or stop keeping in Test.

T20 is probably Riz's weakest spot, because here WKeeping skills are not required that much and there are several options available, while the game is too short to accommodate 2-3 anchors. He is Captain, therefore will be playing T20s probably till next WC - he can help himself by changing roles. He can play as opener but as a blaster from ball 1, which will allow him to keep WKeeping as well and PAK can slot someone like Saud in middle - his average will suffer definitely, but if he can manage a stats like 25/140 as WK Captain, should be fine. Otherwise he should move down to No. 4 and play same ODI role, but at a faster rate.
 
Drop Rizwan but select who Azam Khan, keep in mind then you an extra keeper also because Azam ain't keeping for 90 odd overs, may be drop the second seamer and play a reliever for Azam
 
Diabolical batting from him, that’s what he is. Boils my blood. Pulls out his Ninja moves whenever he is under fire, and attempts shots he doesn’t have the ability to play and they will sell us this innings as him going out on his shield, my foot. Averaging 40 in this era is nothing, it is like 25-30 from the past and he has not played a meaningful Test knock in forever, Pak are basically carrying a specialist keeper.
Avg 40 is nothing for a wicket keeper batsman really?
You are right we should replace him with the one who will average 50. Mindless hate.
 
Australia can afford to, and their’s hasn’t been involved in so many high profile defeats and being the trigger. You drop him & start searching for the best available, there’s no such thing as no one better because you groom the next keeper batter for the future, what are they doing on that front ?
Defeats were triggered by KG and Saud in both innings, not Rizwan if anything he steadied the shop both times but got himself out.
 
Avg 40 is nothing for a wicket keeper batsman really?
You are right we should replace him with the one who will average 50. Mindless hate.

What did his average do in this match, throwing away his wicket at a crucial point in the match, this is next level Hindu Bakht type worship off a mediocre/spineless player who plays politics.

And Pakistan shouldn’t develop any new keepers because they can use Rizwan’s corpse when he gets hit by a Bus, they can position his dancing fingers behind the stumps.
 
Defeats were triggered by KG and Saud in both innings, not Rizwan if anything he steadied the shop both times but got himself out.

Both these batters did not live up to their billing or to fulfil their role.

Rizwan's primary job is to keep wickets. Others were supposed to do their day jobs.
 
I think, to manage his work load (and expectations from fans), Rizwan should stop keeping in ODI (T20 WKeeping hardly that much stressful) and play as a specialist No. 4 - he probably will lead till 2027 WC, but can play ODIs may be till 2031 as specialist bat, but won't last long if he carries WKeeping for three formats. Still a very good ODI batsman for No. 4, probably the best spin player (I saw his shot to Maharaj today.... still) along with Saud in the team and he can loft spinners with 5 fielders on line - no question as a batsman in ODI and led the side brilliantly. He'll be PAK Captain for 2027 WC, I believe.

For Test, there is actually not many alternatives, he is almost only option for next few years, even if he might not like to prolong his Test career - I had high hopes for that U19 Captain guy, but he became so insignificant that I forgot his name. Younger WKs are not that good with gloves while Sarfraz is too old for Test - Rizwan will be PAK Test WK for another 4 years at least, unless he himself decides to retire. But, may be he can switch position with Aga and move down to 6 - someone batting at top 5 is expected to bat like a batsman, which often is difficult for a Wk, for that most WK's opt to bat at 6 or 7. I think, even Pant will drop down to 6 or stop keeping in Test.

T20 is probably Riz's weakest spot, because here WKeeping skills are not required that much and there are several options available, while the game is too short to accommodate 2-3 anchors. He is Captain, therefore will be playing T20s probably till next WC - he can help himself by changing roles. He can play as opener but as a blaster from ball 1, which will allow him to keep WKeeping as well and PAK can slot someone like Saud in middle - his average will suffer definitely, but if he can manage a stats like 25/140 as WK Captain, should be fine. Otherwise he should move down to No. 4 and play same ODI role, but at a faster rate.
Excellent post as usual. Good to see you posting more often now. I personally think rizwan should retire from t20s, in tests there is no one waiting to replace him. Rohail Nazir who you were referring to has completely fallen off. Mohammed Haris has barely played any FC. The current u19 wk is club level players. Haseebullah is not international standard. Rizwan will be playing tests for a while .
 
Let’s start by asking him to sit out against West Indies and let Haseebullah have a go.

What will we miss? A reasonable 40 runs if he gets going? Might as well.

Tell him to rest and prepare for the CT.
 
Drop Rizwan but select who Azam Khan, keep in mind then you an extra keeper also because Azam ain't keeping for 90 odd overs, may be drop the second seamer and play a reliever for Azam
Let’s drop shan and open with Jahandad Khan instead
 
I think, to manage his work load (and expectations from fans), Rizwan should stop keeping in ODI (T20 WKeeping hardly that much stressful) and play as a specialist No. 4 - he probably will lead till 2027 WC, but can play ODIs may be till 2031 as specialist bat, but won't last long if he carries WKeeping for three formats. Still a very good ODI batsman for No. 4, probably the best spin player (I saw his shot to Maharaj today.... still) along with Saud in the team and he can loft spinners with 5 fielders on line - no question as a batsman in ODI and led the side brilliantly. He'll be PAK Captain for 2027 WC, I believe.

For Test, there is actually not many alternatives, he is almost only option for next few years, even if he might not like to prolong his Test career - I had high hopes for that U19 Captain guy, but he became so insignificant that I forgot his name. Younger WKs are not that good with gloves while Sarfraz is too old for Test - Rizwan will be PAK Test WK for another 4 years at least, unless he himself decides to retire. But, may be he can switch position with Aga and move down to 6 - someone batting at top 5 is expected to bat like a batsman, which often is difficult for a Wk, for that most WK's opt to bat at 6 or 7. I think, even Pant will drop down to 6 or stop keeping in Test.

T20 is probably Riz's weakest spot, because here WKeeping skills are not required that much and there are several options available, while the game is too short to accommodate 2-3 anchors. He is Captain, therefore will be playing T20s probably till next WC - he can help himself by changing roles. He can play as opener but as a blaster from ball 1, which will allow him to keep WKeeping as well and PAK can slot someone like Saud in middle - his average will suffer definitely, but if he can manage a stats like 25/140 as WK Captain, should be fine. Otherwise he should move down to No. 4 and play same ODI role, but at a faster rate.

This shot is a good summary

 
Rizwan is world class in Test and ODIs and very good in T20Is. No other WK batsman in Pakistan is anywhere close to him.
 
Let’s start by asking him to sit out against West Indies and let Haseebullah have a go.

What will we miss? A reasonable 40 runs if he gets going? Might as well.

Tell him to rest and prepare for the CT.
A World class WK. If not the best, definitely one of the best. Maybe we can replace him with that guy that once scored 40🤣🥰
 
A World class WK. If not the best, definitely one of the best. Maybe we can replace him with that guy that once scored 40🤣🥰

And what about these gems from you?

On the 17th October 2024, you described the 30 year old Babar as:

Too young and too classy

A month later:

Imagine Babar without losers looking for him to fail and with the Aussie system behind him
 
And what about these gems from you?

On the 17th October 2024, you described the 30 year old Babar as:



A month later:
OK. I don't get your point. Aren't the losers looking for him to fail all the time. They went silent if he scores and pipe up when he fails. I am a fan, he is the best talent we have produced this century. I want him to succeed, we have invested too much in him but he needs to score like any other player
 
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