Home
Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan anchored the run chase after early wickets. Rizwan battled cramps to guide Pakistan to the highest run chase in World Cup history. During his knock, Rizwan was criticised by commentators for his antiques as they went on to call it acting.
After Pakistan finished the run chase with 10 balls to spare, he said that he did suffer from cramps but sometimes he was just putting up a show.
Follow the Sports Tak channel on WhatsApp
“Always a proud moment for me whenever you perform for your country. I am speechless at this moment. It was difficult. The thing was that after the bowling innings we went back and everyone was confident. Unluckily, they got Babar Azam early but we got good partnerships after that. It's a good track, was supporting for us. I told Shafique to take it step by step. Sometimes cramps and sometimes I was acting (laughs),” Rizwan told the broadcasters after receiving the ‘Player of the match’ award.
Rizwan's unbeaten 131-run knock is the highest score by a Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs. The previous record belonged to Kamran Akmal who scored 124 against West Indies in Brisbane in 2005. It is also the second-highest score by a Pakistan batter in the World Cup after Imran Nazir's 160 against Zimbabwe in the 2007 edition of the tournament.
Apart from Rizwan, Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique and Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama scored centuries. This is the first instance of four batters scoring a century in a World Cup match. Also, it is the third time four batters have scored a century in an ODI match.
Rizwan is only the second wicketkeeper to score a century in the World Cup. Former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed scored an unbeaten 101 against Ireland in Adelaide in 2015. This was Rizwan's third ODI century. He is only behind Kamran (5) on the list of most centuries for Pakistan as a wicketkeeper.
Pakistan skipper Babar Azam lauded Rizwan and Abdullah for pulling off the mammoth run chase as he said, “All credit to the boys, especially Abdullah and Rizwan, the way they built the partnership and put pressure on Sri Lanka.”
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis taken to hospital in Hyderabad after 122-run knock against Pakistan
Selection committee shortlists two openers as Shubman Gill's replacement, call on Indian batter's participation in ODI World Cup to be taken soon - Report
