Captain Rizwan stated in an interview with PCB Digital that leading the team is a great honor for any player, and it is even more special to captain the Pakistan team. He expressed that it is challenging to articulate the feelings associated with such a role.
In the interview, Rizwan said that while it is an honor for him, it is also a challenge to meet the expectations the nation has placed upon him. He aims to balance this honor with the pressure and handle the responsibilities effectively.
Rizwan emphasized that the responsibility of leadership is significant. He has previously captained at the Under-19, regional, and domestic levels but has never expressed a desire to be a captain. He mentioned that he has learned from past captains, some of whom were soft-spoken, emotional, or temperamental, and he intends to apply what he has learned in this role. Rizwan acknowledged that there is a difference between captaining Pakistan and leading at lower levels, and he hopes to utilize his experiences with Allah’s guidance.
He stated that a captain’s quality lies in bringing the team together. When the team is united, it reflects the collective effort rather than the performance of a single individual.
Rizwan highlighted the abundance of young talent in the team, mentioning that everyone in the team has leadership qualities. He noted that playing for Pakistan comes with pressure, and he has previously managed wicket-keeping, batting, and captaincy simultaneously. He plans to continue applying the lessons learned from his experiences.
He discussed the challenges faced in Australia, referring to past results that indicated difficulties, but he noted that in the last Test series in Australia, they were in winning positions in each match but fell short. Rizwan believes that if they work on the aspects they have identified, they can succeed in Australia. He emphasized that past failures do not guarantee future losses, and they are heading into the series with a positive mindset and determination to compete alongside senior and young players, leaving the outcome to Allah.
Rizwan expressed his vision of preparing a backup captain and wicketkeeper. He emphasized the importance of preparing for major tournaments, recalling previous instances where they reached semifinals but fell short, and highlighted the need to keep the Champions Trophy and World Cup in India in focus for preparation.
He aspires to be a role model for all players and wishes to leave a legacy where, upon his departure, Pakistan has strong players. His ultimate desire is to see Pakistan cricket rise to prominence. Rizwan acknowledged that it takes time for young players to adjust and understand the game, but he feels the gap is narrowing and hopes the team will emerge in a different form.
Rizwan recognized that fans sometimes express frustration over the team’s results, but their love remains steadfast. He urged fans not to fear that the team might get out when batting and to expect boundaries instead. Similarly, while bowling, they should hope for catches and outs rather than worrying about boundaries. He encouraged maintaining a positive mindset, assuring that they will make every effort to perform well.
