NEW YORK: Wicket-keeper and batter Mohammad Rizwan etched his name in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup history during the recent match against Canada on Tuesday by securing the first half-century for the Pakistani team in the ongoing tournament.
Rizwan’s half-century also propelled him to surpass the record previously held by Indian captain Rohit Sharma. At the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Rizwan displayed his batting prowess by amassing 53 runs. This achievement not only distinguished him as the first Pakistani batter to achieve a half-century in the current World Cup but also marked his 30th fifty-plus score in T20I cricket as an opener.
Rizwan reached this milestone in just 71 innings, eclipsing Rohit Sharma’s previous record of reaching 30 fifty-plus scores in 118 innings. However, Rizwan’s half-century also carried an unexpected distinction, emerging as the slowest half-century in T20 World Cup history. He surpassed South Africa’s David Miller, who previously held the record with a fifty scored in 50 balls against the Netherlands.
Read More: Pakistan vs Canada: Pakistan won the toss and decided to field
In the match against Canada, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first. The Green Shirts’ bowlers delivered strong performances, restricting Canada to a modest total of 106 for the loss of seven wickets. Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf were instrumental with the ball.
Despite a challenging start in their chase, Pakistan eventually achieved the target in 17.3 overs, with Rizwan’s half-century steering them to victory.
