Mohammad Rizwan has not been included in Pakistan’s T20 squad for the Asia Cup, which comes as a surprise since the tournament will be played in the T20 format, and Rizwan is Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in this format. Since 2018, when Rizwan started playing in the Asia Cup, this is the first time he will not be part of Pakistan’s squad for the tournament. After this decision by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Rizwan will now be seen playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for the very first time, as he has signed a deal with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.
Rizwan to Play in CPL, Replacing Afghan Player
According to ESPNcricinfo, the deal between Rizwan and the CPL franchise has not been officially confirmed yet, but an announcement is expected within the next 24 hours. In the ongoing CPL 2025 season, Pakistan’s former T20 captain will replace Afghanistan’s fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi in the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots squad. Farooqi has been recalled to join Afghanistan’s national team for the tri-series against Pakistan and the UAE, which is why Rizwan is stepping in.
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Struggling in CPL 2025
The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots are going through a tough season in CPL 2025. Out of the four matches they have played so far, they have managed to win only one and lost the other three. As a result, they currently sit at the 5th position on the points table among six competing teams. Rizwan now faces the challenge of turning around the team’s fortunes during this difficult phase. The positive side is that he still has enough time to make an impact.
Rizwan’s Challenge to Change the Team’s Fate
St Kitts and Nevis Patriots still have six group-stage matches left in CPL 2025. Excluding the match scheduled for 22nd August, Rizwan is expected to feature in the remaining five games. This gives him a strong opportunity to guide his team to victory in these matches, secure a place in the qualifiers, and even aim for the finals.
If Mohammad Rizwan manages to achieve this feat for the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots, he will not only prove his talent on an international stage but also deliver a fitting response to the Pakistan Cricket Board for excluding him from the Asia Cup squad.