Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan became the fastest to 3,000 T20I runs with his unbeaten 45 in the successful run chase against New Zealand in the second T20I of the five-T20I series at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Previously, the record belonged to India’s top-order batter Virat Kohli and Pakistan captain Babar Azam. Kohli and Babar surpassed the 3,000-run mark in their 81st innings.
Rizwan became the eighth batter to score 3,000 or more runs in men's T20Is. He is also the second Pakistan batter to achieve the feat.
In the run chase of 91, he achieved the milestone with a boundary off New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell on the first ball of fifth over.
Babar reclaimed his opening spot and pushed Rizwan to no.3. Coming to bat at no.3 for the fourth time in his T20I career, he anchored the run chase despite a couple of wickets falling at the other end. He finished the run chase with a boundary off Bracewell on the first ball of the 13th over. He remained unbeaten for 45 off 34 balls including four fours and a six. Pakistan won the second T20I by seven wickets with 47 balls to spare to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
Rizwan chasing another record
Rizwan is also the highest run-scorer in T20Is as a wicketkeeper-batter. He is ahead of England captain Jos Buttler on the list who has 2,753 runs. Rizwan will have a chance to become first wicketkeeper to score 3,000 T20I runs. He is 171 runs away from the milestone.
Babar open to experiment with match winners
“Have to set tone in first six overs. The way Shaheen, Naseem and Amir bowled was outstanding. Will experiment with the combination, will try different batters at different numbers. On paper whenever you look at the Pakistan team, every player looks like a match-winner,” Babar said in the post-match presentation.
“We try to play according to the situation. Have 10 matches before the T20 WC. On the day we try to do well in all three departments. Want everything up to the mark going into the World Cup,” he added.
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