Cricket and politics should never mix, says Rizwan
Speaking to the media in Lahore, Rizwan said, “There should be no politics in cricket. I don't know what's happening between Pakistan and India — I don't use social media.”
Mohammad Rizwan has called for a clear separation between politics and sport, saying the two should never be allowed to overlap.
Speaking to the media in Lahore, Rizwan said, "There should be no politics in cricket. I don't know what's happening between Pakistan and India — I don't use social media."
He highlighted how international players often bond regardless of national tensions. "When we meet players like Virat Kohli and Joe Root, we interact like a cricketing family. We learn from them, and they learn from us too."
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Reflecting on Multan Sultans' elimination from the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL), Rizwan admitted the team had no one to blame but themselves.
"Team selection depends on conditions. All sides went with spinners. We made mistakes, and we were rightfully eliminated. We couldn't maintain momentum in the fielding department," he said.
He acknowledged the burden of leadership, both for Pakistan and his franchise. "If I say I don't feel pressure, that would be a lie. As captain of Pakistan and of Multan, people are watching. We need to accept this pressure and work on our mistakes."
On the evolving nature of T20 cricket, Rizwan explained that adaptation to local conditions is key. "People say we need to play modern-day cricket, but sometimes we have to play like it's Test cricket. At the T20 World Cup, scoring even 120 was difficult."
Rizwan urged both players and fans to focus inward rather than make constant comparisons. "We shouldn't concentrate on what others are doing. We must respond to what the conditions demand."
He praised the performances of other franchises in the competition. "Lahore Qalandars have a different kind of passion. Quetta has momentum, and both Karachi and Islamabad have built strong squads."
Commenting on Babar Azam's Peshawar Zalmi, Rizwan said, "They need our prayers — I'll pray for them. If we had taken our catches, we wouldn't be in this situation today."
Meanwhile, the PSL marked its Childhood Cancer Awareness Day during the Quetta Gladiators versus Islamabad United fixture at Gaddafi Stadium. The initiative, part of the league's corporate social responsibility, saw players, officials, and commentators wear gold ribbons and caps, with special branding across the venue.
