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April 18, 2026
KARACHI – A dejected Mohammad Rizwan has accepted full responsibility for debut franchise Rawalpindi’s disastrous campaign in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), admitting that his personal failure with the bat was the primary reason the team crashed out of the playoff race.
The newly-formed Rawalpindi franchise suffered their seventh consecutive defeat on Saturday, losing to Lahore Qalandars by 32 runs at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. The loss mathematically eliminated them from playoff contention with four group matches still to play.
‘My Performance Was Not Good’
In an emotionally charged post-match press conference, Rizwan made no excuses:
“Certainly, my performance was not good. That’s why we have produced such results,” Rizwan said, his voice heavy with disappointment.
The wicketkeeper-batter, who has been one of the most consistent performers in PSL history, has struggled badly in the tournament. He has scored only 128 runs at an average of 18.28 in seven innings, with a highest score of 36.
Opening Position Dilemma
Rizwan also addressed questions about his batting position:
“I was opening with a young player. I do have my personal preferences regarding batting position, but the team’s decision is always unanimous.”
Rizwan has batted at No. 4 in several matches this season, a position he is unfamiliar with, as he has traditionally opened the innings for Multan Sultans and Pakistan.
‘Sometimes Fate Doesn’t Favor You’
The 33-year-old captain tried to find some positives in an otherwise bleak campaign:
“When you lose, it becomes difficult to find positives. But there were some very positive things. The team doesn’t show any visible shortcomings, but perhaps fate didn’t favor us.”
He added: “As captain, you can try your best, but if mistakes happen, then nothing can be done.”
‘Cricket Is My Obsession’
Despite his struggles, Rizwan vowed to make a strong comeback:
“Just because I haven’t performed well doesn’t mean I will lose heart. Cricket is my obsession. I don’t know how to do anything else. I will work hard and come back stronger.”
Calling this the “most difficult phase” of his life, Rizwan humbly stated:
“I admit my failure. All I can do now is work hard.”
Match Summary: Lahore Qalandars vs Rawalpindi
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Lahore Qalandars | 210/4 | 20 overs |
| Rawalpindi | 178/9 | 20 overs |
Result: Lahore Qalandars won by 32 runs
Rawalpindi’s Horror Campaign
Rawalpindi’s debut PSL season has been nothing short of a nightmare:
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | -1.387 |
The franchise is the only team in PSL 11 without a single victory and is virtually certain to finish at the bottom of the points table.
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What Went Wrong for Rawalpindi?
Several factors contributed to the franchise’s disastrous campaign:
- Captain’s form: Rizwan’s 128 runs at 18.28 is well below his career PSL average of 42.55
- Bowling struggles: Rawalpindi conceded 200-plus totals in three of their seven matches
- Middle-order collapse: The team lost 5+ wickets for under 50 runs in four matches
- Fielding lapses: Dropped catches and misfields cost crucial moments
What’s Next?
With only pride left to play for, Rawalpindi will face Peshawar Zalmi (April 20), Multan Sultans (April 23), Karachi Kings (April 25), and Islamabad United (April 27) in their remaining group matches.
Rizwan’s leadership and personal form will be under intense scrutiny as the beleaguered captain attempts to salvage some respectability from an otherwise forgettable campaign.
