DUBAI – Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan spent around 36 hours in the ICU of a hospital in Dubai as he was suffering from a chest infection before playing the semi-final of the T20 World Cup against Australia on Thursday.
This was revealed Najeebullah Soomro, the Pakistan team doctor, while talking to media after Aussies beat Shaheens in the thrilling match to qualify for final of the tournament.
Rizwan smashed 67 to help Pakistan set 177-run target for rival team, but the effort went in vain as Australia won by five wickets.
En route his 67, he also became the first player in the history of the game to score 1000 T20I runs in a calendar year.
“Mohammad Rizwan developed a severe chest infection on the 9th of November following which he was admitted to the hospital,” the doctor said, adding that the player spent two nights in the ICU recovering. He made an incredible recovery and was deemed fit before the match.
The news about the severity of Rizwan’s health condition was shared after batting consultant Matthew Hayden revealed it while speaking with the official broadcaster during the semi-final.
“Mohammad Rizwan was in the hospital a night ago suffering from some sort of lung condition,” Hayden said. “This is a warrior. He’s been brilliant throughout the campaign, and he has great courage.”
