Doctor hails Pakistan’s Rizwan after ICU stint

Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan in the ICU recently

Pakistan opener Mohammad Rizwan spent two nights in the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital here, battling severe chest infection but insisted on playing in the T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia, eventually top-scoring for the team in a lost cause.

Pakistan team doctor Najeeb Somroo revealed these details in the post-match press conference after the side's ouster from the mega-event. Just before the semi-final on Thursday, batting consultant Matthew Hayden had said that the wicketkeeper-batter was hospitalised without mentioning that Rizwan was admitted.

‘Incredible recovery'

"Mohammad Rizwan developed a severe chest infection on November 9 after which he was admitted to the hospital. He spent two nights in the ICU. He made an incredible recovery and was deemed fit before the match," Somroo said. "We can see his great determination and tenacity that shows his spirit of performing for the country. And we can see how he performed."

Also Read: T20 WC: Mohammad Rizwan spent two nights in ICU before SF against Australia

Captain Babar Azam said it was Rizwan who wanted to play in the semi-final. "When I saw him, he was a little bit down, but when I asked him about his health he said, ‘no, I will play'. Definitely he's a team man. The way he played today, it was exceptional. And the way he played today he showed that he's a team man. And I am very confident about his attitude and his performance."

The in-form Rizwan struck 67 off 52 balls in Pakistan's total of 176 for 4 after they were asked to bat by Australia. The Australians chased down the target with one over to spare.

Secret hospitalisation

The team doctor said that Rizwan's hospitalisation was kept a secret by the team management. "The decision regarding and around his health was made by the whole team management. And this was regarding the morale of the whole team. And therefore we kept it within the team," he said.

Also Read: T20 WC: Rizwan, Shoaib Malik miss training with mild flu ahead of semis

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