SHARJAH: Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan made a major assertion that none of the current Pakistan pacers can make up for the absence of the ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Following his anchoring and unbeaten 78-run knock against Hong Kong, Rizwan spoke with the media. In response to a question on Shaheen’s absence from the upcoming Asia Cup 2022, he remarked that no bowler could replace the ace pacer.

“None of these bowlers can make up for Shaheen’s absence but anyone can become Shaheen on a given day,” said Rizwan.

The player of the match for Pakistan in a must-win clash against Hong Kong – Rizwan also opined regarding the early stages of the game and acknowledged that the batters were finding it hard to get going initially.

“It was difficult in the beginning, but after getting the hang of it, we did quite well,” Rizwan stated.

The right-handed batsman, who led the way for Pakistan in their most recent match against India on Sunday, continued by comparing every game versus India to a final match as he discussed the Green Shirts’ upcoming tense encounter with their bitter rivals on September 4.

“Every match against India is very challenging like a final. It is a pressure game and it is on Indian players as well,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan thrashed Hong Kong by a massive margin of 155 runs and qualified for the Super Fours of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022.

The Green Shirts will now take on their arch-rivals India in an anticipated clash on September 4.

READ: Pakistan thrash Hong Kong by 155 runs to book Super 4s spot in Asia Cup