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Mohammad Rizwan Breaks Silence on English Trolling, says “I Will Speak in Urdu!”

April 13, 2025, 3:31 pm

Pakistan ODI Captain Mohammad Rizwan has had to endure permanent trolling regarding his English-speaking skills. Nevertheless, before PSL 2025, he firmly stated: he will be talking in Urdu. Rizwan clarified that playing cricket is what he does and not speaking with language.

According to him, fans are only concerned about how he plays and not whether he can speak English fluently or not. His firm position has created a larger dialogue regarding language, education, and self-confidence in Pakistani sports. The Mohammad Rizwan Urdu statement has now been a courageous moment of pride and defiance.

Rizwan Takes Strong Stand Against Trolling

During the toss before Multan Sultans’ first match, Rizwan requested to speak in Urdu. It was a straight response to trolls who mocked his English. He confessed that he did not receive proper formal education. But he explained he speaks honestly and has no shame speaking his language.

Now you guys should be happy?
Y’all made such a big deal out of Rizwan speaking English pic.twitter.com/iGIi6233ku

— ???? (@TasniMahi) April 12, 2025

“I do not care about the trolling,” he said. “I am proud that whatever I express, I express from the heart.”

Rizwan’s statement refutes the perception that English is the measure of intelligence. In Pakistan, people often judge a public figure based on how they speak rather than what they do. Rizwan reverts the attention to performance and effort.

Looking at Cricket, Not Language

Rizwan clarified that his work is to play cricket, not to give English speeches. He explained Pakistan wants him to perform, not to impress through words. Half-jokingly, he added that if words were the requirement, he’d pack up cricket to become a professor.

His message is straightforward. Sportsmen are to be analyzed through their sport, not grammar. This also reminds fans to hold people to account for content rather than form.

Addressing the “Win or Learn” Criticism

At the PSL 2025 captains’ press conference, a journalist poked Rizwan. The reporter questioned if his team would “finally win” rather than merely “learn.” Rizwan remained composed. He asserted that results are in God’s hands. What is important is the hard work and consciousness that players take to the field.

“Allah gives wins and lessons. We must learn from both,” he added.

His response demonstrated maturity. Leadership is about development, not wins, according to Rizwan. He thinks about learning and moving forward, win or lose.

Inspirational Model of Resilience and Authenticity

Rizwan’s answer demonstrates confidence and clarity. He demonstrates that communication is honesty, not language. He reminds everyone that skill and hard work are most important. His stance is a lesson in self-respect and being grounded.

In a world that is too quick to judge, Rizwan leads with humility. He inspires athletes to be themselves. And in doing so, he is more than a cricketer—he is a symbol of pride and resilience.

Trolled for English, Mohammad Rizwan Says ‘I’m Not Educated, But I Speak From the Heart’

April 12, 2025, 12:17 pm

Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has reacted with humility and determination to recent social media trolling directed at his English-speaking abilities. In an interview before his team Multan Sultans’ first game of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season, Rizwan spoke of the matter during a press conference and asserted that he is not embarrassed by his limited grasp of English.

Mohammad Rizwan Responds to Social Media Mockery

The backlash was prompted by a recent dig from a journalist at Rizwan’s “win or learn” comment at a captains’ press conference. The journalist jeered if the Sultans would ever begin winning after having “learned” all these years. The statement soon gathered traction on social media, where Rizwan’s command of English was again criticized.

But Rizwan’s placid and even response stole the hearts.”I don’t care [about social media trolling]. I am proud of one thing and that is whatever I say, I say from my heart. I don’t know English. The only regret is that I did not get enough education but I am not even one per cent ashamed that I can’t speak English despite being the captain of the Pakistan cricket team,” he stated.

‘Pakistan Demands Cricket, Not English’

Mohammad Rizwan emphasized that his priority is cricket, not language.

“The demand from me is cricket, not English. There is a regret that I did not complete my education, which is why I struggle in speaking English. Pakistan is not demanding English from me. If that were the case, I would leave cricket to become a professor, but I do not have that much time,” he said.

Mohammad Rizwan said “I don’t care about trollers. I am not educated; I don’t know how to speak English. I am here to play cricket; I am not here to teach English. My nation demands cricket from me Alhamdullilah. I don’t have time to learn English” ????pic.twitter.com/Pdy1cs6053

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) April 11, 2025

Mohammad Rizwan Respond on ‘Win or Learn’ Taunt

Rizwan also provided a calm response to the reporter’s ridicule of his “win or learn” ideology.

“Aisa hai ki mujhe result ki parwa nahin hai. Result Allah ke haath mein hai. Allah ne jo cheez hamaare haath mein di hai, usko hum fulfil karne ki koshish karenge, chahe woh hard work ho, awareness ho. Koshish toh hum poori karenge. Allah win bhi deta hai, learn bhi deta hai. Humne usse seekhna hai,” he said.

This is disrespectful. Mohammad Rizwan always faces “learn or win” questions ????

pic.twitter.com/vtueIcUQhs

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) April 10, 2025

Past Incidents of Trolling

This is not the first time that Rizwan has been trolled for his English. Former Australian cricketer Brad Hogg faced criticism last month after he was featured in a video where one of his teammates mocked Rizwan’s English. The video attracted flak from the fans who defended the Pakistani sensation.

Even amid the flak, Rizwan remains concentrated on what matters most to him—his performance on the pitch and his integrity off it.

Naseem Shah to Ex-Cricketers: Roast My Bowling, Not My Hair

April 2, 2025, 3:21 pm

Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah has condemned the increasing trend of personal attacks made on players, especially during trying times for the national side. His comments arrive at a time when Pakistan cricket has seen dismal performances recently, triggering severe criticism from former players and fans too. Naseem underlined that personal opinions can affect an individual’s confidence greatly and sought a constructive form of criticism.

Pakistan’s Woes in Terms of Performance and Accumulated Criticism

During Mohammad Rizwan’s leadership, Pakistan has encountered numerous setbacks in various big tournaments. The side was unable to advance past the group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which was held on home soil. Before that, they were ousted early from both the 2023 World Cup in ODIs and the 2024 World Cup in T20s. In addition to this, Pakistan was last placed in the current 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle. Such disappointing performances have elicited stern criticism from ex-players and die-hard fans alike, who have chosen to abandon performance-based analysis and descend into personal attacks instead.

Rejection of Personal Criticism of Naseem Shah

In a recent video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and reported by GeoSuper.tv, 22-year-old Naseem Shah spoke about the kind of criticism he and his teammates get regularly. While granting necessity for performance reports, he called for avoiding unjustified personal criticism.

“As a fan, if you watch cricket and someone says something that doesn’t make sense to you, you might think, ‘Oh, this person has never played cricket.’ When we go home, even our own brothers sometimes make comments that make us say, ‘Yeah, okay, they’ve never played cricket,'” Naseem Shah said.

He went on to say, “But when it comes to players who have actually played cricket for 10-15 years, you can discuss their performance—talk about how someone isn’t bowling well, isn’t batting well, or what mistakes they’re making. That’s fine. You can analyze what can be improved. However, I feel that getting too personal—commenting on how someone styles their hair or how they speak—crosses the line. These things hit personally.

Impact of Naseem Shah as a Concussion Substitute

Even though he was not part of the playing XI for the second ODI against New Zealand, Naseem acted as a concussion replacement for Haris Rauf and performed incredibly well. The young pacer scored a swift 51 off 44 balls in a game Pakistan ultimately lost by 84 runs. His unexpected contribution highlighted his pressure-fighting capability as well as being ability to act in the moment.

Fans’ Passion and Thin Line of Criticism

Despite being omitted from the T20I squad during the New Zealand series, he remains in Pakistan’s ODI setup. Talking about the kind of criticism players face, he recognized the immense passion fans have for cricket. “Fans make comments, and that’s understandable because they watch cricket passionately. Even when we were kids, we would criticize the team when they lost. But if you’ve played cricket for 15 years and still make comments that have nothing to do with the game, it does hurt,” he remarked.

With Pakistan trying to rebuild and return to the game in international cricket, Naseem’s words highlight the importance of separating good criticism from useless personal attacks. Being one of the young hopes of the team, he continues, demanding a healthier conversation of the sport and its players.

Ishan Kishan Hilariously Trolls Mohammad Rizwan in Viral Video | Watch

March 27, 2025, 11:02 am

A light-hearted conversation between India’s out-of-favour batter Ishan Kishan and ex-international umpire Anil Chaudhary has gone viral on social media. In the video, Chaudhary complimented Kishan on his matured approach while appealing from behind the wickets.

Kishan retorted in his signature humorous manner, crediting his sophisticated way of refraining from unnecessary appeals—something he jokingly associated with Pakistan’s wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan.

Hilarious Take of Ishan Kishan on Appealing

During their conversation, Chaudhary pointed out how Kishan had changed his style over the years.

“You played so many games under my umpiring. You have grown up now. You also appeal when required. Earlier, you used to appeal a lot. How did this change come?” asked Chaudhary.

Kishan, in his characteristic playful manner, responded with a sharp observation.

“Mujhe lagta hai umpire log smart ho gaye hain. Har baar karenge (appeal) toh phir unn log out ko bhi not out de denge. Isse achha ek baar karo, jab hai tab call karo, aap log ko bhi confidence rahega ki sahi time pe hi call karte hain… Warna abhi (Mohammad) Rizwan type kuch karunga toh phir aap log ek bhi baar nahi denge (out) [I think the umpires have become smarter. If they keep doing it repeatedly, they might even start giving out decisions as not out. It’s better to make the call just once and at the right time so that even you (umpires) have confidence in your decision. Otherwise, if I do something like Rizwan, then you might give it not out despite being out],” he said.

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A post shared by Anil Chaudhary (@anilchaudhary.13)

Ishan Kishan Opines About Umpiring

Asked to comment on umpiring standards, Kishan gave his frank take.

“To be very honest, there are certain umpires we are happy to see officiating in matches. However, there is always room for improvement. I feel that the new umpires coming in should be more confident while making decisions. They should not overthink the consequences, but if they believe a batter is out, they should make the call without being influenced by appeals or other factors.”

Kishan’s comments and the banter with Chaudhary have elicited laughter from fans, with the video widely shared on social media. The exchange reflects the light-hearted nature of Kishan while cleverly pointing out the psychology involved in appealing in cricket.

Mohammad Rizwan Blames Bowlers for Pakistan’s Defeat in Champions Trophy 2025 Opener

February 20, 2025, 6:13 pm

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan conceded that his side was taken aback by New Zealand’s 320-run stand in their Champions Trophy 2025 opening game at the National Bank Stadium. Rizwan attributed poor death overs execution as a major reason for Pakistan’s 60-run loss.

Even after losing two early wickets, New Zealand’s batting order showed strength. Will Young (107) and Tom Latham (118*) held the innings together, while Glenn Phillips gave late thrust with a 39-ball 61, striking at 156.41 with three fours and four sixes.

“I believe they set a very good target, we didn’t know they would reach 320. We thought about 260 when we lost early wickets. The Will Young-Latham association was significant. We attempted, but they batted very intelligently and that’s why they reached that score. The pitch wasn’t easy to bat in the early stages, but Will Young and Latham’s batting was significant. Our finish in the last overs was not good, and that’s why they scored that,” said Rizwan during the post-match presentation. Pakistan’s pursuit stumbled in front of a home crowd desperate to see an ICC tournament game in their nation for the first time since 1996. Following early losses of Saud Shakeel and Rizwan, Babar Azam struggled to find pace, making a slow 64 from 90 balls, leaving Pakistan in a precarious position.

The defeat leaves in a tricky situation before their high-pressure encounter against India. With Bangladesh also part of the group, their path to the semi-finals has been tougher, and it is now important for them to address their batting issues and gain early momentum in future games.

But Rizwan maintained that the team would not be subjected to extra pressure before playing their arch-rivals.

“We lost momentum at two places, first in death overs and second in powerplay with the bat. Losing Fakhar Zaman as an opener proved to be extremely important. We did not wish to put undue pressure on us by thinking of ourselves as a defending champion team. This match is over now, and we have another run-of-the-mill match against us,” he further added.

Lahore-Born All-Rounder Set To Replace Mohammad Rizwan As New ODI Captain Of Pakistan: Report

October 27, 2024, 9:23 pm

The uncertainty surrounding Pakistan’s white-ball captaincy continues to intensify as the team prepares for their tour of Australia, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is.

Recent reports from Pakistani media indicate that Salman Agha is set to be appointed as the new ODI captain, while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is expected to take on the T20I captaincy.

ARY News reported on Sunday (October 27) that the Pakistan team will have two separate captains for the ODI and T20I formats, with Lahore-born Agha likely to lead the ODI side.

Earlier speculation suggested that Rizwan would become the white-ball captain following Babar Azam’s resignation. However, the latest updates indicate that he might be chosen as the new T20I captain instead.

The announcement of the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming tour of Australia is anticipated to be made today (Sunday, October 27). Decisions regarding the futures of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah, who were excluded from the Test squad, are also expected to be revealed. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi is set to make significant announcements during a press conference later in the evening, according to the news channel.

Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem were dropped after Pakistan’s defeat to England by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test. Under Shan Masood’s leadership, Pakistan bounced back to win the second and third Tests, clinching the series 2-1.

The 30-year-old Salman Agha made a notable impact in the three-match Test series against England, scoring a century and two half-centuries. He has played 21 ODIs, amassing 487 runs at an average of 40.58, and has taken four wickets in this format.

Rizwan has captained Pakistan twice in Test matches but has yet to lead the team in white-ball formats. If selected for the T20I role by the PCB selectors, he would become the third T20I captain in just 10 months.

Har Ball Pe Chillata Hai…Kyu Apni Beizzati Karwa Rahe Ho? : Indian Umpire Criticizes Mohammad Rizwan

August 24, 2024, 10:44 pm

Mohammad Rizwan, one of Pakistan’s top batters, has consistently delivered crucial performances for his team. However, he is also known for his on-field antics, such as frequent appeals and occasionally pretending to have a hamstring injury while batting. Recently, Indian umpire Anil Chaudhary openly criticized Rizwan for his behavior.

During an appearance on the 2 Sloggers Podcast, Chaudhary remarked that Rizwan tends to appeal excessively and shout after every ball. He also joked about Rizwan’s use of white lip balm, comparing it to lipstick, and noted how he jumps around “like a pigeon.”

Chaudhary added that with advancements in technology, players like Rizwan should be cautious about making themselves look bad. He said, “He appeals a lot. I even told my fellow umpire to stay aware. Har ball pe chillata hai (He keeps shouting on every ball). Isn’t he the one who puts something like a lipstick? He keeps jumping like a pigeon… Aur itna technology aa gaya hai, kyun apna beizatti karwa rahein ho? Ulta seedha nikla jayega, toh log aap hi ka mazak udayenge (When technology has evolved so much, why do you have to make yourself look bad? People tend to make fun of such things).”

Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan is making headlines for his performance in the first Test against Bangladesh. He scored an impressive 171 runs off 249 balls, hitting 11 fours and 3 sixes. His partnership of 240 runs with Saud Shakeel helped Pakistan’s innings significantly. Rizwan’s 171-run knock also ended a 15-year drought for Pakistan, becoming the first wicketkeeper-batter since Kamran Akmal in 2009 to score 150+ runs in a Test innings. He now joins the ranks of Taslim Arif, Imtiaz Ahmed, Rashid Latif, and Kamran Akmal as Pakistani wicketkeepers to achieve this feat.

Pakistan Batting Woes Exposed: Net Session Video Sparks Online Backlash

July 6, 2024, 2:55 pm

After Pakistan team left the 2024 T20 World Cup sooner than expected, people are focusing more on key batsmen Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed. Many critics, including ex-players and fans, are calling for big changes in the team, saying older players should make way for new ones.

A recent viral video has added fuel to the fire, showing Rizwan and Iftikhar struggling against Pakistani net bowler Nouman Khan Khaira. The footage has sparked widespread debate, with fans questioning the selection criteria and suggesting local talents deserve a chance in the national team.

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A post shared by DBTV Sports (@dbtvsports)

Online reactions have been sharp. One commentator on social media argued, “These local talents should replace the current squad,” reflecting growing frustration among supporters. Another quipped, “They even struggled against part-time software engineers from the USA,” highlighting the team’s underperformance.

These local boys should be taken into Pakistani teams and those playing for the side should be rested.

— Umar? (@umartweets_) July 5, 2024

During the tournament, Rizwan, despite finishing as Pakistan’s second-highest scorer, faced criticism for his slow strike rate. His inability to guide Pakistan to victory against India despite a promising start further compounded the disappointment. Meanwhile, Iftikhar’s lackluster performance, managing only 23 runs across two games before being dropped, has fueled calls for his exclusion from future matches.

As Pakistan cricket faces this critical juncture, the debate over restructuring the team intensifies, with fans and experts alike eagerly awaiting the PCB’s next move.

Watch: Fans React Hilariously To Pakistan Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan’s Slow Batting

June 19, 2024, 8:19 pm

The Pakistan cricket team endured a disappointing campaign at the T20 World Cup 2024, sparking outrage among fans on social media. The team’s journey began with back-to-back losses against co-hosts USA and arch-rivals India. Their only win came against Canada, but it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in the Super Eight, leading to their early exit from the tournament.

Fans have been particularly critical of Pakistan’s batting lineup, which failed to impress throughout the competition. The team’s fielding and bowling were also seen as lackluster. Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has been singled out for his performance, especially after recording the slowest half-century in T20 World Cup history with a sluggish strike rate.

These people are supremely creative. Deserves an Oscar.

More original than our original Rizwan. ?

pic.twitter.com/mCKvaRal1T

— M (@anngrypakiistan) June 17, 2024

Adding to the online buzz, a spoof video of Rizwan’s slow half-century has gone viral, capturing the internet’s attention. The humorous clip shows a man dressed as the Pakistani cricketer, consistently taking singles and reaching the 50-run mark after 69 balls. Even with four runs needed off the final delivery to win, the man opts for a single to complete his half-century, much to the amusement of viewers.

totally agree @iMRizwanPak

— Halal Memes (@HalalMmz) June 18, 2024

Social media users have had a field day with the video, with comments ranging from “Totally agree” to “Accurate.” One user humorously remarked on Rizwan’s tendency to take a single while making it look like a diving effort, while another noted the exaggerated way he removes one hand from the bat.

??? accurate!

— नीkunj वेed (@kool_nikunj) June 17, 2024

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign was effectively over after their defeats to the USA and India, with their elimination confirmed when the match between the USA and Ireland was washed out. This disappointing run has left fans and analysts alike questioning the team’s strategy and performance, as the squad now faces the fallout from an underwhelming tournament showing.

Mohammad Rizwan’s “India” Comment Sparks Huge Row as Pakistan Players Show Support Towards Haris Rauf’s Incident

June 19, 2024, 5:33 pm

After a video surfaced online showing Pakistani cricketer Haris Rauf involved in a heated altercation with a fan following Pakistan’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, several of his teammates came to his defence and condemned the incident.

A heated argument between Haris Rauf and a fan in the USA. pic.twitter.com/d2vt8guI1m

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 18, 2024

Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, and Ahmed Shehzad took to social media to address the behavior of fans and advocate for respect towards players and their families. Hasan Ali emphasized promoting love, peace, and respect for the game in his tweet.

I've seen a video circulating online about Harry @HarisRauf14 and I urge all my dearest cricket fans to remember that criticism can be constructive without being hurtful. Let's keep the debate respectful and considerate of the players’ families. Let's promote love, peace and…

— Hassan Ali ?? (@RealHa55an) June 18, 2024

It is the right of fans to criticise us for performances. We accept it and try to learn from it. It is not OKAY to attack anyone personally in their family’s presence, unacceptable. How would u feel if someone attacked u personally while with family? #HarisRauf @HarisRauf14

— Shadab Khan (@76Shadabkhan) June 18, 2024

Shadab Khan was more stern in his criticism, condemning the personal attacks on players in the presence of their families. He questioned how fans would feel if subjected to similar treatment while with their own families.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan’s post sparked controversy when he mentioned that the nationality of the fan involved didn’t matter, despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise. This led to criticism on social media for unnecessarily bringing India into the discussion, despite clarification from the fan himself that he was Pakistani.

It is irrelevant whether the person who disrespected Haris Rauf was from Pakistan or India. What truly matters is that this individual lacked values and manners. No one has the right to disrespect any human being, especially in front of their family members. Such appalling…

— Muhammad Rizwan (@iMRizwanPak) June 18, 2024

Absolutely unnecessary to mention 'India' here when that fan himself claimed he's from Pakistan.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 18, 2024

Ahmed Shehzad, known for his outspoken views on Pakistan cricket, reiterated that while criticism of players’ performances is acceptable, mocking players or their families is unacceptable. He stressed the importance of respecting players’ privacy and focusing criticism constructively on team dynamics and cricketing decisions.

As cricket fans, you can criticise the performance of players and their actions on the field. No one has the right to ridicule a player or their family, always respect their privacy. Criticise them for grouping in the team, for their friendships which has kept deserving players…

— Ahmad Shahzad ?? (@iamAhmadshahzad) June 18, 2024

Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, particularly losses to USA and India, has stirred up significant debate among former players and experts. Calls for changes within the team have been widespread. However, the incident involving Haris Rauf’s confrontation with a fan underscored the need to maintain respect and decorum towards players, irrespective of their on-field performance or team results.

RIZWAN, ASHRAF HELP PAKISTAN AVOID FOLLOW ON AGAINST KIWIS

December 29, 2020, 4:56 am

MOUNT MAUNGANUI: Skipper Mohammad Rizwan (71) and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf (91) helped Pakistan avoid follow on after the two shared a 107-run partnership for the seventh wicket on the third day of the first Test against New Zealand here on Monday.

The visitors were all out for 239 in their first innings just before stumps, 192 runs behind New Zealand’s 431.

Pakistan were struggling at 80 for six at one point in time and looked set to follow on before Rizwan and Ashraf counter-attacked to stitch the crucial partnership.

Rizwan, the wicketkeeper-batsman, hit eight fours in his 71-run 142-ball innings while Ashraf made 91 off 134 balls with 15 fours and a six. The duo batted aggressively going after the New Zealand pace attack after the nervous and edgy top-order couldn’t find ways to score.

Pakistan were so slow that they got to 50 in the 41st over for the loss of three wickets. They lost overnight opener Abid Ali and nightwatchman Mohammed Abbas in the space of two overs after the two had seen off the first 12 overs of the morning. Pakistan’s most experienced batsman Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail fell in the 43rd over bowled by Tim Southee. Left-handed batsman Fawad Alam fell as the sixth wicket with the score on 80 in the 60th over. For New Zealand, Kyle Jamieson took three for 35 while Southee and Trent Boult took two wickets each.

Brief scores: New Zealand 431 vs Pakistan 239 (M Rizwan 71, F Ashraf 91, K Jamieson 3/35, T Boult 2/71, T Southee 2/69)

Rizwan steers Pak to victory in 3rd NZ T20

December 23, 2020, 4:31 am

NEW DELHI: A brilliant knock of 89 from wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan made sure the decent work done by the bowlers didn’t go in vain as Pakistan registered a four-wicket win in the third and final T20I against New Zealand on Tuesday.

Opting to field, Pakistan bowlers kept the New Zealand batsmen in check and despite Devon Conway’s 63-run knock, the hosts could muster 173/7 in their allotted 20 overs at the McLean Park.

Besides Conway, Tim Seifert — who had been New Zealand’s hero in the first two games — contributed with 35 runs, which came off 20 deliveries. Glenn Phillips’s 31 off 20 was also another notable performance for the Black Caps.

For Pakistan, right-arm medium-fast bowler Faheem Ashraf was the pick of the bowlers as he returned with brilliant figures of 3/20 in his four overs. Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi also picked two wickets each, giving away 44 and 43 runs respectively.

Chasing the target, Pakistan started off well as Haider Ali and Rizwan made 40 runs for the first wicket in 5.2 overs. After Ali’s dismissal, Mohammad Hafeez joined forces with Rizwan and the duo shared a 72-run stand and put the visitors on track of their solitary win in the series.

However, after Hafeez’s dismissal on his individual score of 41, Pakistan lost three quicks wickets in the form of Khushdil Shah (13), Faheem Ashraf (2) and captain Shadab Khan (0). Towards the end, Iftikhar Ahmed kept his calm and scored 14 unbeaten runs to take Pakistan over the line with two balls to spare and end the T20I series with a scoreline of 1-2.

For the hosts, Tim Southee starred with the ball as he picked two wickets in his four overs while conceding 25 runs. Scott Kuggeleijn also scalped two wickets. However, he was expensive as he gave away 40 runs in his four overs.

Rizwan, who smashed 10 fours and three sixes during his 59-ball inning, was adjudged the Player of the Match while Seifert was declared the Player of the Series.

New Zealand and Pakistan will now compete in a two-Test series beginning Saturday at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.

Brief scores: New Zealand 173/7 (Devon Conway 63; Faheem Ashraf 3/20) lose to Pakistan 177/6 (Mohammad Rizwan 89; Tim Southee 2/25).