KARACHI: Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan revealed that he was not happy batting at number five in ODIs while expressing his desire to get a promotion in the batting order.
Speaking in a media talk ahead of the third PAK vs NZ ODI, Rizwan claimed he was not satisfied with his current batting position in the 50-Over format, adding, ‘despite his wish to bat at no.4 he never complained about it with the captain or coach.”
“Frankly speaking, I am not happy with the fifth number because I want to play at no.4,” he told reporters on Monday.
“But it is not necessary that I get what I wish for. Captain and the coach do what they believe is suitable for the team.”
He, however, negated the impression he was pushing to get the desired batting position, adding, he has never complained or cried foul about it.
“My personal wishes do not matter. It happens many times that a player has his own aspirations but the captain and coach think otherwise because they have their own mindset.”
The wicket-keeper batter without naming anyone also disclosed that he was even asked to open for Pakistan by the previous management.
“I won’t take their names but I was even asked to open in ODIs by the people in previous tenures. They asked me to be prepared for any change even for the opening slot. I replied that would be your call.” he concluded.
Mohammad Rizwan, who bats as an opener alongside skipper Babar Azam in T20Is for Pakistan, in the longer white-ball format came down the batting order sometimes even at no.6.
It must be noted here that Pakistan are currently engaged in five-game ODI series against the Blackcaps. The Men in Green lead the series 2-0 following back-to-back wins in first two matches in Rawalpindi.
The two sides will now take on each other in the third fixture at the National Bank Cricket Arena as the action shifts to Karachi, which will host the remaining three ODIs on May 3, 5 and 7.
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