Multan Sultans' skipper and star batter Mohammad Rizwan has shed light on managing expectations and facing top pacers in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
In a video shared by PSL on their official Twitter handle, Rizwan said: "I have become a top player, and there is no pressure about that. But if you are in the early stages and not performing, it's understandable to take the pressure. However, after that, people and the nation expect a lot from you, which is a different kind of pressure. I try to fulfill the demands and leave the rest to God."
After Rizwan was dumped by Karachi Kings without playing consistent cricket, he was roped in by Multan Sultans in 2020, where they finished third under Shan Masood's captaincy.
However, Rizwan was appointed their captain in 2021, where he led them to their first-ever PSL trophy, while also helping them reach the final in 2022.
Since then the batter has been performing consistently for the franchise and the national side.
"The biggest thing about PSL is that even the bench player is an international player and you get quality bowling here. In every team, you can get three bowlers, who can bowl at 140+ kph. A bowler you bowls at speed becomes successful," he said.
Asked about his rivalry with Shaheen Shah Afridi, the wicketkeeper-batter said: "In Pukhtoon culture, there is respect but age-wise, I am older than him. I think he is the superstar of Pakistan and God has given him a lot of fame and If God Wills, he will get even more."
"There has never been a time that the love between us comes into play while we take on each other on the field. Apart from Shaheen, there is Babar [Azam] bhai, Shadab [Khan], and Haris [Rauf]. We play for different teams and keep the love between us aside and make efforts for our teams."
Rizwan also hoped that the PSL would produce more talent, who would go on to serve Pakistan in the future.
It is worth mentioning here that the Rizwan-led Multan have secured two consecutive wins in the second and third matches after losing their season's opener against Lahore Qalandars in Multan on February 13.
In their fourth match, Multan Sultans posted 190-4 in their allotted 20 overs against Islamabad United, with the help of fifties by David Miller and Mohammad Rizwan.
Miller scored 52 runs in 25 balls, laced with three fours and four maximums, to provide his side with some quick runs at the backend of the innings. During his impressive knock, the South African also smacked Islamabad captain Shadab Khan for three sixes in a row.