Picture Courtesy: Geo Super
The 2026 season of the Pakistan Super League has not gone as planned for Mohammad Rizwan. After moving from Multan Sultans to Rawalpindiz, Rizwan has struggled to find both form and rhythm.
In six matches so far, he has scored just 98 runs. His highest score stands at 41, with an average of 16.33 and a strike rate of 110. These numbers fall well below his usual standards. Fans who expect consistency from Rizwan now find themselves asking a simple question: what went wrong?
Captaincy Concerns Continue to Grow
The bigger concern lies in his captaincy record. Rawalpindiz lost their first six matches of PSL 2026, adding pressure on Rizwan early in the season. When we look at the bigger picture, the numbers tell a worrying story.
Across PSL 2025 and PSL 2026, Rizwan has managed just one win in roughly 14 to 15 matches as captain. Reports also suggest that he lost 19 of his last 20 T20 matches as a captain during this period. In PSL alone, he has lost 13 of his last 14 matches.
These are not just bad numbers. They point toward a serious dip in leadership effectiveness.
Comparing with Previous PSL Seasons
To understand the decline, we need to look at his past performances.
In PSL 2024, Rizwan scored 407 runs at an average of 33.91 and helped Multan Sultans reach the final. In PSL 2023, he delivered an even stronger performance with 550 runs at an average of 55, including a century and four fifties.
During those seasons, he led Multan to four consecutive finals from 2021 to 2024. That consistency built his reputation as one of the most reliable captains in T20 cricket.
Why the Sudden Drop?
Several factors could explain this downturn. A team change often disrupts balance and chemistry. New environments demand quick adaptation, and not every player adjusts instantly. Furthermore, bad selections and lack of trust from the PCB and ultimately the sacking of captaincy in the white ball formats could also be a reason in the drop of confidence.
At the same time, captaincy pressure can affect personal performance. When results go against a team, even experienced leaders struggle to maintain confidence.
Final Thoughts
Cricket often tests players in phases, and Rizwan currently faces one of the toughest periods of his career. His past record proves his ability, but PSL 2026 has exposed clear challenges. Apart from all challenges, he must change his defensive and timid mindset in order to come back to the outstanding numbers and records.
If he adapts quickly and regains form, this phase could become just a temporary setback. If not, it may redefine how fans and analysts view his captaincy going forward.