I don't care about my critics: Rizwan after scoring fifty in Southampton Test

Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has responded to his critics, after his fighting knock in the first innings of the second Test against England in Southampton.

Pakistan were 223-9 at stumps on the second day, with Rizwan 60 not out just as he started to up the tempo of his innings with only last man Naseem Shah for company.

"I don't care about my critics," said Rizwan during a post-match virtual press conference. "I don't listen to any of them. I see the cricket ground in front of my eyes and I know what I have to do in the nets. I work hard and leave the rest up to God. I don't even read the news or watch TV. I keep working hard, and hope that what I'm doing produces results. That's all I know how to do."

Rizwan was left frustrated as players were forced to leave the field for bad light. 

Even though the Ageas Bowl floodlights were on, the umpires took the players off the field 10 minutes after tea with bad weather, as it did on Thursday, causing several interruptions.

This was the latest example of bad light stopping play in a Test even when floodlights are in use.

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Whereas batsmen could once stay on even if 'offered' the light by the umpires, since 2010 the match officials alone decide to halt a Test should they deem the conditions too dark.

"I was ready to play but the decision rests with the umpires, and they have the responsibility to ensure no one gets injured," Rizwan told reporters after marking Pakistan's Independence Day with a second fifty in eight career Tests following his 95 against Australia in Brisbane in November.

"They have to go by the light meter. It's the same for both teams," added the wicketkeeper, who impressed behind the stumps during Pakistan's three-wicket defeat in last week's first Test at Old Trafford.