Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan played an impressive innings against Australia in the second semi-final of the ICC men’s T20 World Cup 2021, having scored 67 off just 52 balls. However, the player had to go through a harrowing experience merely days ahead of the match.

Rizwan had to be hospitalized due to a severe chest infection after he suffered from intermittent fever, persistent cough, and chest tightness for a period of 3 to 5 days. Test results later revealed that he had severe laryngeal infection leading to an esophageal spasm and bronchospasm. Rizwan, upon full recovery, shared details of his illness and what the nurses had informed him. “When I reached the hospital, I wasn’t breathing. And the nurses told me that my windpipes were choked. They were not telling me anything. I was told that I would get better by morning and discharged. During the afternoon, I was told that I will be discharged in the evening. So, I asked one of the nurses and then I was told that had it been late in reaching the hospital by 20 minutes, both my windpipes would have burst,” the opener was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.

“You will have to be there for two nights or more. They used to conduct regular tests but the constant thought in my mind was that I'll soon get fit to play the match. The doctor told me that he wanted me to play the semi-final for Pakistan which gave me a boost. But later, when he told me that 'Rizwan, you are not in a condition to play'… that took me back a little. He told me there are risks involved. Thankfully, things started getting better and I was able to make a quick recovery,” Rizwan further added.