Mohammad Rizwan slams third ODI century, completes 6,000 international runs
Pakistan's senior batter Mohammad Rizwan has slammed his third century in One-Day Internationals. The right-handed batter reached the three-figure mark against Sri Lanka in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. Rizwan shared a 150-plus stand with centurion Abdullah Shafique while chasing 345. Notably, this is Rizwan's maiden World Cup ton. He also completed 6,000 international runs.
Maiden WC ton for Rizwan
Rizwan arrived after Pakistan lost Imam and skipper Babar Azam for 37 runs. However, he played with his usual attacking intent and kept the scoreboard ticking. Rizwan kept on batting despite struggling with cramps in the second half. The former reached his century off just 97 balls in the 42nd over. He smacked 7 fours and 2 sixes en route to his ton.
Highest ODI score by a Pakistan wicket-keeper
Although Rizwan lost Shafique in the 45th over, Rizwan didn't perish and guided Pakistan to victory. He scored an unbeaten 131 off 121 balls, a knock laced with 8 fours and 3 sixes. As per Cricbuzz, this is now the highest score by a Pakistan wicket-keeper in ODIs. He broke the record of Kamran Akmal, who smashed 124 against West Indies in 2005.
Another feat for Rizwan
Rizwan now has the second-highest score for Pakistan in ODI World Cups. Imran Nazir, who smashed 160 against Zimbabwe in Kingston in 2007 tops this list. Notably, Rizwan also recorded his career-best score in the format.
A look at other notable numbers
Rizwan has become only the second Pakistan wicket-keeper to score a World Cup ton. He now has the second-most tons by a Pakistani wicket-keeper in ODIs. He went past Sarfaraz Ahmed (two tons). Rizwan and Shafique added 176 runs, the highest partnership for Pakistan for any wicket in the World Cup. Saeed Anwar and W Wasti (194 vs NZ, 1999) hold the top spot.
Rizwan races past 6,000 international runs
During the knock, Rizwan raced past 6,000 runs in international cricket. He reached this feat in his 180th encounter. The Pakistan batter has 1,423, 1,892, and 2,797 runs in Test, ODI, and T20I cricket, respectively. His international tally includes six tons and 46 half-centuries. Rizwan averages 43.65 and has a strike rate of 86.80 in ODI cricket.
