Rizwan, Haris feature in Wisden’s ‘form’ T20I XI

LONDON: Pakistan’s in-form batter Mohammad Rizwan and fast bowler Haris Rauf have been named among Wisden’s form men’s T20I XI on the back of their scintillating performances in the shortest format this year. 

Wisden – a renowned cricket publication – picked a combined world team in the men’s T20I format featuring players who are currently at the centre of great patches of form.

Apart from Rizwan and Haris, the combined XI feature David Warner (Australia), Rilee Rossouw (South Africa), Suryakumar Yadav (India), David Miller (South Africa), Moeen Ali (England), Mathew Wade (Australia), Wanindu Hasaranga (Sri Lanka), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (India) and Josh Hazlewood (Australia).

Wicket-keeper batter Rizwan is currently the No.1 ranked T20I batter and had an exceptional run with the bat in the previous month as he remained the leading run-scorer in both, Asia Cup 2022 and T20I home series against England. He has amassed 702 runs, averaging 58.50 with a strike rate of 128.10 in 15 matches he played so far during this year.

“The current ICC No.1 ranked batter would be difficult to ignore. In the future, T20I purple patches could be termed Rizwanesque: this year, he has eight fifties including two seventies and two eighties. The average is in the high fifties, although the strike rate may be less than convincing for some. Love him or hate him, you cannot ignore the volume of runs” Wisden wrote about Rizwan.

Haris Rauf, on the other hand, has delivered a few match-winning performances for the team over the last month and has established himself as a death bowling specialist. The express fast bowler has been consistent with his line and length while hitting 150kph regularly. He picked 21 wickets in 15 matches with an economy rate of 8.03 during this year.

“It is not just about the numbers. The pace (often in excess of 150 kph) he generates towards the end of the powerplay and in the middle overs helps keep the batters in check, and is a vital weapon in the death overs, where he also brings out yorkers with ease. Talking purely numbers, he has taken the sixth-most wickets among all quicks this year, with an economy rate better than three of the top five.” remarked Wisden about Haris.

READ: Rizwan wins ICC Player of the month award for Sept 2022