Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan could be rested for the third T20I, scheduled for April 17 in Lahore, against New Zealand due to a back injury.
Rizwan went off the field in the seventh over of New Zealand’s run-chase, during the second T20I on Saturday, with substitute Mohammad Haris taking over the glovework duties.
“Rizwan is feeling better, perhaps a one-game rest for him and he will be back in the side,” Azam said after the match.
Azam, who scored a sensational hundred to lead Pakistan to victory in the second T20I, was also happy with his team’s performance.
"Definitely, I am very happy to perform in this match. Early on, there was help for the fast bowlers and there was seam movement but I and Rizwan built a partnership. After Rizwan got out, then I and Iftikhar continued to consolidate. I tried to stay till the end and play all overs in order to utilise the last few overs and we managed to get a good total. Back-to-back wickets hurt you but we are working on this and we will sit and discuss about it because it puts pressure on you,” he said.
“Our bowling line-up is excellent, we have got experienced bowlers and some exciting young bowlers, Zaman is brilliant at death,” he added.
It must be noted that Pakistan won the second T20I by 38 runs courtesy Azam’s brilliance with the bat and pacer Haris Rauf’s four-wicket haul.
Chasing a target of 193 runs, the Kiwis were restricted to 154-7 in 20 overs.
The home side leads the series 2-0 bearing in mind the fact that they won the first T20I on Friday by 88 runs at the same venue.
Eight Kiwis are missing because of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and skipper Kane Williamson has a bad knee injury, leaving the captaincy to batsman Tom Latham — and providing plenty of opportunity for newcomers to shine.
Pakistan and New Zealand will also meet in five one-day internationals after the T20 series, honing preparations for this year´s 50-over World Cup in India.
The tour comes as something of compensation for New Zealand pulling out of their visit to Pakistan on the day of the first game in September 2021, citing security concerns.
The Black Caps played two Tests and three ODIs in Pakistan just three months ago.
- Mohammad Rizwan