Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan has become the highest run-scorer as a wicketkeeper-batter in T20Is. Rizwan surpassed England’s Jos Buttler in the fifth T20I of five-T20I series against New Zealand to reach the top.
The Pakistan opener scored his 25th T20I half-century to get the record in his name. He surpassed the Englishman with a single off Adam Milne in the 12th over of the innings. With an unbeaten 98, Rizwan has 2,656 runs from 69 innings as wicketkeeper-batter. He has an average of 49.18 and a strike rate of 127.63.
Before the clash, Rizwan needed 48 runs to surpass Buttler. England’s T20 World Cup-winning skipper had scored 2,605 runs from 86 innings at an average of 37.21 including one century and 20 half-centuries.
Buttler is followed by South Africa's Quinton de Kock who has 2,264 runs. Afghanistan's Mohammad Shahzad has 1,997 runs whereas former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored 1,617 runs.
Rizwan got Pakistan off to a good start at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Skipper Babar Azam and Rizwan shared a 51-run opening partnership. But Blair Tickner got Mohammad Haris out for a golden duck to push Pakistan on the back foot. In the next over, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi dismissed Saim Ayub for a two-ball duck.
The 30-year-old shared a 71-run partnership for the fourth-wicket with Iftikhar Ahmed who scored 36 runs from 22 deliveries. He remained unbeaten for 98 off 62 balls including seven fours and four sixes. He had a chance to get to the three figures on the last ball of the innings but James Neesham beat his bat.
After Iftikhar’s wicket, Rizwan had support from Wasim who contributed with a 14-ball 31 in 68-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Rizwan's 98-run knock helped Pakistan post 193/5 on the board.
Before the clash, Rizwan had two single-digit scores in the series. He scored a half-century in the second T20I of the series.
ALSO READ:
Sachin Tendulkar turns 50: Wishes pour in from all corners of the world as sports fraternity pays tribute to Master Blaster
Sachin Tendulkar's name indelibly etched in Sydney after SCG unveils gate named after Indian maestro to mark 50th birthday
