CPL 2025: Mohammad Rizwan off to a disappointing start

CASTRIES: Pakistan’s former T20 captain, Mohammad Rizwan began his stint in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025, on a disappointing start.

Rizwan was signed to the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots after securing a no objection certificate (NOC) from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

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The 33-year-old joined the patriots to replace Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi, who left the tournament to play in a tri-series in the UAE.

The wicketkeeper was also left out of Pakistan’s T20 squad for the UAE tri-series and the Asia Cup, allowing him to participate in overseas leagues. Earlier this year, he featured in the Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

In his latest CPL match, Mohammad Rizwan was clean bowled after scoring just three runs. It was a disappointing start for the 33-year-old, who carried experience as one of the team’s senior players.

Alongside Rizwan, two other Pakistani fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi, are part of the Patriots squad.

The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots have had a tough season so far they have won only two matches out of five. After suffering three consecutive defeats, the team finally secured a 12-run win in their most recent game.

The win was largely thanks to the all-rounder performance of their captain, Jason Holder.

The Patriots have a history of success in the CPL. They won the tournament twice, in 2017 and 2021. However, this season was proved to be challenging.

Rizwan is no stronger to leading sides. He captains Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Under his leadership, the Sultans won their first PSL title in 2021. Over 93 PSL matches, Rizwan scored 2,770 runs, averaging over 40. He has scored 21 half-centuries and two centuries.

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The PCB allows centrally contracted players to participate in only two overseas leagues within a 12-month period. Rizwan reached that limit by playing in the BBL and CPL this year.