Simon Doull suggests Rizwan ‘do the right thing’ and retire out during maiden PSL hundred, stands by his comments later
Simon Doull has stood by his comments criticising the slow strike rate of Multan Sultans’ captain Mohammad Rizwan early in his innings against Karachi Kings, despite Rizwan accelerating to bring up his maiden Pakistan Super League hundred.
Rizwan has earned a reputation as one of the most consistent T20 batters on the planet, breaking the record for the most runs scored in the format in a calendar year in 2021, and finishing second on the list for 2022.
However, his approach has at times come in for criticism, with Rizwan’s preferred method to take his time before accelerating. Against Karachi Kings, he helped lay a platform, taking his side to 90-1 in the 12th over. However, he himself had just 35 off 32 at the time and was struggling with an injury, with big hitters Kieron Pollard, David Miller, Khusdhil Shah and Carlos Brathwaite still to come.
Doull, commentating on the game, suggested Rizwan cut his innings short for the good of the team. “I hate to say it, but he’s just got to get off,” he said. “He’s striking at 109, you’ve got enormous power to come, just leave the field, chief. You are the skipper, do the right thing by your team. You can’t run the twos quickly. You’re not helping your mate at the other end. I’d say just go off, get treatment, you’ve done your job.”
Rizwan soon began to kick on, and in some style. From 51 off 43 with five overs left, he ended up unbeaten on 110, breezing from 50 to 100 in 18 balls. Multan Sultans put up 196-2 in 20 overs, with Pollard facing two balls, and the rest of the aforementioned hitters unused.
Doull stood by his assessment of Rizwan’s knock, with Karachi Kings starting strongly in reply – with nine overs gone, they were already halfway to the target, with James Vince blitzing 74 off 31 in that time.
Simon Doull clarifies his statement on air regarding Mohammad Rizwan's innings today: "There are no such things as bad 100s but there are 100s in a losing cause. The balls Rizwan wasted in the earlier part of his innings could have been better utilized."#MSvKK #PSL2023
— Israr Ahmed Hashmi (@IamIsrarHashmi) February 22, 2023
Watch Doull’s early comments below:
— Zak (@ZakProMax) February 22, 2023
