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Mohammad Rizwan (Source: AFP)
The Pakistan Super League 2026 has brought disappointment and tough luck to the new franchise Rawalpindiz. Led by Mohammad Rizwan, the team entered the season with high hopes after the league expanded to eight teams.
However, their campaign has turned into a nightmare. Rawalpindiz have lost all seven matches they have played so far and sit at the bottom of the points table with a net run rate of -1.796. They were also the first team to be eliminated from the playoff race.
The team's poor performance has put Mohammad Rizwan under heavy scrutiny. Not only has he struggled as a captain, but his personal form with the bat has been disappointing as well. After facing criticism, Mohammad Rizwan faced tough questions about his future in T20 cricket.
Fakhar Zaman powers Lahore Qalandars victory
In the 27th match of the tournament at the National Stadium in Karachi, Lahore Qalandars defeated Rawalpindiz by 32 runs. The match was dominated by Fakhar Zaman, who played a brilliant knock of 84 runs off 54 balls.
Fakhar Zaman, along with Mohammad Farooq, gave Lahore a strong start with a 121-run opening partnership. Lahore Qalandars posted a massive total of 210 runs in their 20 overs.
In reply, Rawalpindiz showed some fight, with Yasir Khan and Shaan Masood scoring half-centuries, but they could only manage 178/9, falling short by 32 runs.
Mohammad Rizwan's Performance in PSL 2026
Mohammad Rizwan's individual form has been one of the biggest concerns for the team. In seven matches, he has scored just 107 runs at an average of 15.28, which is far below. He has failed to build momentum and has struggled with his strike rate.
As captain, the situation has been even worse. With this losing streak, Rizwan has now led his PSL teams to 16 defeats in his last 17 matches, raising questions about his leadership in the shortest format.
After the latest defeat, Mohammad Rizwan addressed the media openly. He admitted that his performances have not been good enough and said he is not afraid of criticism.
When asked about retirement, he gave a straightforward response, saying that if people believe he should step away from T20Is at this stage, he is open to considering it.
"I’ve said this many times — even when Sarfaraz Ahmed was with the team. And I will still say it again. I’m not afraid of questions, and I’m not afraid of the media. If something is not right in me, then it isn’t. And if you think I should retire at this age, I will," Rizwan stated.
Mohammad Rizwan's Numbers for Pakistan
Looking at Mohammad Rizwan's numbers for Pakistan in T20Is, the star batter has played 106 matches and made 3,414 runs at an average of 47.41 with a strike rate of 125.37. His record includes one century and 30 half-centuries.
In the T20 World Cups, Rizwan has scored 566 runs in 17 innings. His best year came in 2021, when he scored 281 runs in six matches at an outstanding average of over 70. In 2022, he scored 175 runs in 7 matches, while in 2024, he scored 110 runs in 4 matches, indicating a gradual dip in consistency.
However, Rizwan was dropped from Pakistan's squad for the T20 World Cup 2026.
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