Mohammad Rizwan, a highly regarded wicket-keeper batsman from Peshawar, idolizes Adam Gilchrist. He made his First-Class debut for Peshawar in 2008 and quickly caught selectors’ attention through consistent performances with both bat and gloves. From playing for Peshawar College at 17 to breaking into the Pakistan national team at 22, Rizwan’s journey reflects dedication and hard work. Early in his Under-19 career, Rizwan struggled with the pressures of white-ball cricket but overcame these challenges with guidance from coaches and mentors. His standout innings of 103 off 87 balls helped Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Fighters win the Pentangular One Day Cup, boosting his claim for national selection. Rizwan also played a key role in Peshawar Panthers’ back-to-back national T20 championships in 2014 and 2015. A devoted fan of Brazil’s football team, Rizwan is a full-time wicket-keeper and an excellent fielder anywhere on the ground. Known for his energetic batting, he scored a valiant 67 on debut against Bangladesh in 2015. With the retirements of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq after the 2015 World Cup, Rizwan earned a Test debut in New Zealand in 2016, although he played only one match. Rizwan appeared set to become a permanent fixture in Pakistan’s limited-overs side thanks to his attacking stroke play and reliable wicket-keeping. However, a dip in form and Pakistan’s tough 2016-17 tour of Australia saw him dropped temporarily. He later made a strong comeback. Alongside Babar Azam, Rizwan has forged several match-winning partnerships in shorter formats. Now in his early 30s, he is a solid top-order batsman in T20Is and a dependable middle-order presence in ODIs. With his talent and experience, Rizwan is poised to be a key figure in Pakistan cricket for years to come.
