Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, had a standout performance in the second One-Day International (ODI) of the ongoing series against South Africa in Cape Town. His gritty fifty played a key role in stabilizing Pakistan’s innings after an early collapse, propelling him to break an impressive record held by New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum.
Rizwan’s Vital Contribution in Pakistan’s Recovery
After South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bowl first, Pakistan suffered a disastrous start. Opening batsman Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for a duck, and Saim Ayub, who had scored a brilliant century in the previous match, was sent back cheaply by Kwena Maphaka.
In the midst of this early batting collapse, Rizwan stepped up to anchor Pakistan’s innings. His partnership with Babar Azam proved crucial, as the pair worked together to rebuild the innings and frustrate the South African bowlers. Rizwan played a vital role in stabilizing the innings, scoring a valuable half-century to ensure Pakistan was back on track.
Breaking McCullum’s Record
Rizwan’s fifty was not just crucial for Pakistan’s recovery; it also etched his name in the record books. With his knock, Rizwan surpassed Brendon McCullum’s record for the most fifty-plus scores as a designated wicketkeeper across all formats. Both Rizwan and McCullum had previously held the record with 53 fifty-plus scores. However, Rizwan’s fifty in this match took him to 54, overtaking the New Zealand legend and claiming the record for himself.
Pakistan’s Strong Recovery: Rizwan and Babar’s Partnership
Riding on the excellent partnership between Rizwan and Babar Azam, Pakistan’s total surged as the pair continued to build a steady partnership. At the time of writing, Pakistan had reached 168 for 2, with Babar Azam on 60* and Mohammad Rizwan on 73*. Their partnership has given Pakistan a solid foundation to push for a huge total in the second ODI.
Rizwan’s Form and Leadership
Mohammad Rizwan’s performance highlights his excellent form and leadership in this series. As the captain, Rizwan’s calm and composed knock not only helped his team recover but also added another milestone to his illustrious career. His resilience under pressure is a testament to his growing importance in Pakistan’s limited-overs setup.
With Rizwan and Babar at the crease, Pakistan will be eyeing a commanding total, giving themselves the best chance to level the series in Cape Town.
