Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Rizwan has dedicated his team’s record-breaking performance against Sri Lanka in the World Cup to “brothers and sisters in Gaza”.
Rizwan (131) made an unbeaten century while young Abdullah Shafique (113) smashed his maiden ODI century to lead Pakistan to a six-wicket win on Tuesday.
Rizwan shared a match-winning 176-run stand for the third wicket with Shafique as Pakistan romped home in 48.2 overs. This was the highest successful run chase (345) in the history of the World Cup.
“This was for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Happy to contribute in the win. Credits to the whole team and especially Abdullah Shafique and Hassan Ali for making it easier. Extremely grateful to the people of Hyderabad for the amazing hospitality and support throughout,” Rizwan posted on X.
Rizwan has been a favourite of the people in Hyderabad, where the team has been stationed since their arrival for the tournament. As Rizwan arrived to train before the toss on Tuesday, the head curator told him “Rizwan, 200 here.” The wicketkeeper remembered those words after seeing his team home.
“This (Tuesday) afternoon as I entered the ground, the curator told me you need to score 200. I met him afterwards, we’d developed a bond, not just with him, but the people too. They did their duas (prayers) for us and we did the same for them,” said Rizwan at the post-match media conference.
Rizwan termed the reception “unbelievable”.
“It felt like I was playing in Rawalpindi,” he said. “The way the crowd gave us mohabbat, it was amazing. Not just to me and the Pakistan team, but even to the Sri Lankan team. I had great fun. I say Rawalpindi in terms of atmosphere because the noise levels were like that. Lahore is a bit bigger... It felt like a home match for us.”
Rizwan was asked about how he’s adapted to the No. 4 role and the adjustments.
“Nothing, I know just hard work,” he said. “I believe in luck. When I started my innings, the first edge that went for three, it went over the fielder’s head. It could’ve so easily gone to hand. I just believe in hard work and leave the rest to God.”
