New Delhi: Mohammad Rizwan returned to form with a blazing half-century in the second ODI against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town on Thursday. Rizwan, who had been out of form and struggling to score runs, smashed a knock of 80 runs in just 82 ball, which included seven boundaries and three massive sixes. Coming out on the crease at a crucial stage, he displayed his batting prowess to steer Pakistan’s innings.
Along with Babar Azam, who also returned to his original form with remarkable knock of 73 runs, Rizwan joined hands for a 115 runs partnership for the third wicket to set the perfect base for the Men in Blue after they were put into bat first by the Proteas. Knocks from both the players put Pakistan in a commanding position and the duo also created a big partnership record for Pakistan enroute the show.
Rizwan-Babar partnership record
The stand of more than 100 runs between both the players was their 16th century partnership in the international cricket. Together both Rizwan and Babar have joined hands for 100 or more runs stand 16 times across formats and they are nearing former Pakistan greats Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq’s record of 20 century partnerships in international cricket for Pakistan.
20 – Younis & Misbah
18 – Younis & Yousuf
18 – Inzamam & Yousuf
16 – Babar & Rizwan
Rizwan breaks multiple records
With this remarkable knock at Newlands, Rizwan broke New Zealand player Brendon McCullum’s elite record for the most fifty-plus scores as a designated wicketkeeper across formats. Both McCullum and Rizwan had 53 fifty-plus scores as wicketkeepers across formats and with today’s knock, Rizwan overtook the Kiwi player with his 54th fifty-plus score.
Meanwhile, apart from remarkable knocks from Rizwan and Babar, Kamran Ghulam chipped in with a quickfire fifty to power Pakistan to massive total of 329 runs in 49.5 overs. Ghulam slammed 63 runs off just 32 deliveries which included four boundaries and five maximums to power the Men in Green to a big first innings score. Pakistan have the opportunity of clinching the series with a victory in the match as they had bagged a win the series opener at the Boland Park in Paarl.
Mohammad Rizwan returned to form with a blazing half-century in the second ODI against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town on Thursday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
