Rizwan opens up about missing link in Pakistan team ahead of T20 World Cup

Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan has shed light on what he believes to be a missing link within the national cricket team as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to take place in the USA and West Indies.

In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, he mentioned the ongoing deliberations and uncertainty surrounding the fifth batting spot.

"In our minds, our team is very strong. Still, I can say that the captain and selection committee are still pondering over players for the fourth, fifth and sixth batting spot. I think there is still a shadow over the fifth batting spot, regarding who will fill that position. But I think our Pakistan team is looking very strong," Rizwan said.

The ICC T20 World Cup 2024 will commence on 2nd June with co-hosts USA taking on neighbors Canada, while fellow hosts the West Indies will play Papua New Guinea in Guyana on the second day of group play. 

The 2024 edition introduces a 20-team format with distinct stages preceding the knockout phase, departing from the First Round/Super 12 structure of previous years.

Moreover, as co-hosts with the West Indies, the tournament marks a significant moment for the USA, their first global appearance since the 2005 Champions Trophy.

It is worth noting that the highly anticipated fixture between Pakistan and India is set for June 9 at Eisenhower Park in New York.

The semi-final matches are set for June 26 and 27 in Guyana and Trinidad, respectively, with the finals of the World Cup taking place in Barbados on June 29. England enters as defending champions, having secured the 2022 T20 World Cup title in Australia by defeating Pakistan in the final.