Pakistan's wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan turned out to be the standout batter for his side in the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. After an unbeaten 171 in the first innings, Rizwan scored 51 runs in the second innings as Pakistan suffered a batting collapse on Day 5. Rizwan became the first Pakistan wicketkeeper to score a century and a half-century in a Test match. He also broke India’s Rishabh Pant’s record for most runs in a Test match in World Test Championship (WTC).
Rizwan dethrones Pant
Rizwan has 222 runs from the Rawalpindi Test. Pant held the previous record with 203 runs against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham in 2022. Pant scored 146 in the first innings and followed it up with a 57-run score. For Pakistan, Sarfaraz Ahmed held the previous record. Sarfaraz scored 196 runs including 78 in first innings and 118 in the second against New Zealand in 2023.
44-year-old Pakistan record broken
The record for the highest score by a Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter in a single Test belonged to Taslim Arif. He scored 210 not out against Australia in Faisalabad on March 6, 1980.
Misses chance to score double ton
Rizwan had a chance to score his maiden Test double century but skipper Shan Masood declared the innings when he was batting on 171 when the score was 448/6 on Day 2.
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Rizwan fights lone battle
In the second innings, he held on to one end while wickets fell on the other end. He gave in to pressure and was the ninth wicket to fall down. He dragged the ball on to his stumps in an attempt to play his go-to sweep shot against off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz. His 80-ball 51 included six fours.
Maiden Test win against Pakistan for Bangladesh
Pakistan suffered their maiden Test defeat to Bangladesh in Test cricket history. They lost by 10 wickets.
Rizwan's unbeaten 171 is also the third-highest score by a wicketkeeper-batter in a losing cause in Test cricket. Zimbabwe's Andy Flower holds the top two spots with unbeaten 199 and 183 respectively. Rizwan's unbeaten 171 is the highest score by an Asian wicketkeeper-batter in Tests in a losing cause.
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