Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan was Pakistan’s highest run scorer in their T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to Australia but he was in hospital with a severe chest infection for two nights before the match, the team doctor has revealed.

Rizwan, whom the team’s batting coach Matthew Hayden hailed as a “warrior”, said that he would play when captain Babar Azam asked him about his health and ended up scoring 67 off 52 balls.

He was the tournament’s second highest run scorer, only behind Babar, at the end of the match.

“He made an incredible recovery and was deemed fit before the match,” doctor Najeebullah Soomro is quoted as saying by Reuters. “We can see his great determination and tenacity that shows his spirit of performing for the country. And we can see how he performed today.”

Rizwan showed no sign of illness, clubbing four sixes and three fours before falling to fast bowler Mitchell Starc.

Babar, who formed one of the most prolific opening partnerships of the tournament with Rizwan, said the 29-year-old was a “little bit down” before the match.

“But when I asked him about his health he said, ‘no, I will play’,” said Babar.

During his innings, Rizwan became the first player to score 1,000 runs in T20 internationals in a calendar year.

Scoring 281 for the tournament at an average of 70.25, Rizwan is second only to Babar (303) on the World Cup runs list.

“This is a warrior,” said Pakistan batting coach Matthew Hayden, the former Australia test opener.

“He has been brilliant through (the tournament) and he’s got great courage, as has Babar. Fantastic tonight from him.”