Reactions from fans, media after victory made me realize playing against India is not ordinary: Mohammad Rizwan

Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan who recently won the ICC Men’s T20I Player of the year had opened up on his first game against India in the T20 World Cup 2021. The right-hander played a crucial role at the top with an unbeaten 79 that led Pakistan to their first-ever victory against India in a World Cup fixture. The 29-year-old had a fantastic year with the bat as well scoring 1326 runs in the calendar year and has broken a lot of records in the process.

Meanwhile, the rivalry will continue again this year as India is scheduled to take on Pakistan on October 23 in the T20 World Cup 2022 at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground(MCG). The previous meeting had created a huge viewership on television and streaming while an even better response is expected this year. India will be seeking their revenge for their loss in the previous edition and a new captain in the form of Rohit Sharma will be leading the men in blue.

There’s much more at stake while playing India: Mohammad Rizwan

Rizwan mentioned that he wasn’t carried away by the hype around the India-Pakistan rivalry at first and in fact, did not feel much nervous too which was very surprising. He added that he realized the importance of the game by the fans’ reaction and media responses which are often at their peak during the India-Pakistan rivalry.

“The reactions from the fans and media after the victory made me realize that playing against India is not ordinary because there’s much more at stake than playing against any other opposition. I had an interview arranged with an Indian channel and they asked me how the nerves were. I just told them that, for me, playing against India is just like playing against any other opposition. Until we had won, it was just another game for me.”  Rizwan told Cricket Pakistan

Pakistan had a brilliant run in the T20 World Cup 2021 as they stayed unbeaten until the semi-finals and were pipped as the favourites to win the tournament after their complete dominance. However, Australia pulled out a stunning win against Pakistan in the semi-finals with the heroics of Wade and Stonis, and the men in yellow ended up winning the tournament as well.