Multan Sultans skipper Mohammad Rizwan raised eyebrows with his comments at the Pakistan Super League (PSL) captains' press conference on the eve of the tournament's 10th edition.
During the press conference, the wicketkeeper batter made a sharp statement that quickly gained attention. The wicket-keeper batter was questioned on the current hype about Pakistan's recent performances, which have been the subject of debate after a below-par Champions Trophy and a complete debacle of a New Zealand tour.
Without pointing fingers at anyone in particular or going into too much detail, Rizwan's remark was subtle but stinging. "Everyone is aware of what is happening. Every individual is answerable for what lies in their domain," Rizwan stated.
Pakistan's New Zealand tour last month had been a taxing one, and the Men in Green had triumphed in just one of the eight matches played. In the five-match T20I series and three-match ODI series, Pakistan secured only one win in the T20Is, thanks to a masterful century from Hasan Nawaz.
Pakistan, though, was given a 3-0 whitewash in the ODIs, where key players underperformed and did not live up to expectations. For the uninitiated, the much-awaited 10th edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) gets underway on Friday, April 11.
Defending title holders Islamabad United will face two-time winners Lahore Qalandars in the inaugural match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The six-team tournament will include 34 games, from April 11 to May 18.
Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium will host 13 matches, two Eliminators, and the grand final. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host 11 games, including the first Qualifier on May 13.
Karachi’s National Bank Stadium and Multan Cricket Stadium will each host five matches. Additionally, the tournament will feature three double-headers, two of which will happen on Saturdays, and one on Labour Day (May 1).
Multan Sultans team for PSL 10: Mohammad Rizwan (C), Usama Mir and Michael Bracewell (all platinum), David Willey, Iftikhar Ahmed and Usman Khan (all diamond), Chris Jordan, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Hasnain (all gold), Faisal Akram, Akif Javed, Gudakesh Motie, Josh Little and Tayyab Tahir (all silver), Shahid Aziz and Ubaid Shah (both emerging), and Muhammad Amir Barki, Johnson Charles and Yasir Khan (all supplementary).
