Comment Rizwan takes Pakistan closer to dream finish at MCG.

WHEN Pakistan needed their champion, Mohammad Rizwan raised his hand. Punching, swiping and axe-cutting in the best tradition of Ijaz Ahmed, Rizwan extinguished New Zealand's hopes and in the process said, 'Hello, remember me?'

The national debate on Babar Azam's batting overlooked one major detail, and that was the influence of Rizwan on Pakistan's success in T20 cricket - as well as his effect on Babar.

Under the bright lights of Sydney, on a comfortably paced pitch, before a crowd packed with jubilant supporters, Pakistan waltzed into the final of this year's T20 World Cup. Rizwan, Pakistan's pocket rocket, led the charge to victory, quelling doubts about Pakistan's top order. Those doubts won't disappear with one performance, but when 'The Rizwan and Babar Show' is hitting its cues, Pakistan fans should always be ready to celebrate good times.

Rizwan is a perfectly orthodox batsman - that's how he first caught the eye - but he has adapted his game to play unorthodox shots perfectly.

The surprise is how confident and consistent he is in this abstract stroke making. From the first ball of...