Anchor role in T20s difficult, looks embarrassing at times: Rizwan

Pakistan wicketekeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan admitted that he is sometimes embarrassed to play the role of an anchor in T20s - something he has done to perfection over the years. Rizwan has often been seen holding up an end in T20 Internationals (T20I) for Pakistan, while the batter at the other end goes for big hits, to get the scorecard ticking at a good rate, worrying little less with what is happening at the other end.

"It is very difficult role [anchor role in shortest format] and sometimes it looks very embarrassing," Rizwan told reporters. 

"What my experience says and what I know is that whenever someone hires me, they demand me to play the anchor role like the way I do in Pakistan.

"I always assess the condition, assess the opponent and do these kinds of things (anchoring the innings) and sometimes it is embarrassing because in T20 everyone knows we love sixes and they want me to score 60-70 runs from 35-45 balls, but for me to win the match."

Rizwan, who is the second ranked batter in T20Is says that he always plays according to the situation of the match and as far as attacking goes, he believes he can accelerate in the end.

"You can look at the scoreboard and see what the team demand from you. Basically for me, my cricket idol is AB de Villiers and I look at him very closely and his performances in Test cricket and T20 as well and that's why I also try to play according to the demand of the team," Rizwan who is currently playing for Comilla Victorians in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), said.

"In T20 cricket, sometimes you can go with slow strike rate because sometimes in T20 you are in a position where they [opposition] are looking to take wickets. 

"You can go slow [when you've lost a couple of wickets] but when the team needs you to hit the long ball, you can go with the momentum. For me, assessing the time is important [when to break free] and thankfully, most of the time, I am successful."

Rizwan in his four matches in the BPL 2022-23 season has slammed 125 runs at 62.50 to go with a strike-rate of 112.61, including a highest score of 55 not out. Victorians are currently placed third in the table, having won three and lost as many in six matches.