In a thrilling ODI encounter against South Africa, Mohammad Rizwan once again proved his resilience, battling through cramps to remain unbeaten on 122 off 128 balls. His exceptional knock, alongside Salman Ali Agha’s century, helped Pakistan pull off a record-breaking chase at the National Stadium in Karachi. This victory secured their place in the final of the tri-nation series, where they will face New Zealand.
Despite being visibly uncomfortable with Mohammad Rizwan cramps, the Pakistan captain refused to give up, anchoring the innings with determination. His deputy, Salman Ali Agha, humorously summed up Rizwan’s grit, saying, “When Rizwan has cramps, we know he is in the game, his head is working.”
Record-Breaking Partnership
Pakistan found themselves in trouble at 91/3 while chasing a daunting target of 355. However, the remarkable 260-run partnership between Rizwan and Salman turned the tide in their favor, setting a new record for the highest fourth-wicket stand for Pakistan in ODIs. Their calculated approach, targeting every five overs, ensured they stayed on course to chase down the total with an over to spare.
Rizwan Surpasses Babar Azam in Successful 300+ Chases
With this century, Mohammad Rizwan climbed to the top of the list for most runs scored by a Pakistani batter in successful 300+ chases in ODIs, surpassing former captain Babar Azam:
- 425 runs* – Mohammad Rizwan (7 innings)
- 399 runs – Babar Azam (7 innings)
- 329 runs – Fakhar Zaman (5 innings)
- 298 runs – Imam-ul-Haq (5 innings)
- 265 runs – Younis Khan (4 innings)
South Africa’s Reflection on the Loss
South African captain Temba Bavuma admitted that despite putting up a massive total, his team couldn’t capitalize on their early breakthroughs. “You back yourself after getting to 350, but we weren’t able to break their momentum,” Bavuma said, highlighting how crucial it is to either take wickets or contain the run flow in the middle overs.
Conclusion
The match showcased Mohammad Rizwan’s cramps not as a setback, but as a sign of his unwavering determination. His ability to stay composed under pressure and lead from the front reinforced his reputation as one of Pakistan’s most reliable batters in ODI chases. As Pakistan heads into the final, Rizwan’s performance will undoubtedly be a key factor in their pursuit of another triumph.
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