Amid the 17th season of the IPL, which has captured the attention of the cricketing world, an important bilateral series between Pakistan and New Zealand got underway last week in Rawalpindi just over a month ahead of the T20 World Cup set to be held in West Indies and USA.
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In the third match of the series last night, the visitors chose to field first, but ended up watching Pakistan openers Saim Ayub and Babar Azam get off to a quick start in the Powerplay. Some solid hitting towards the end from Irfan Khan (30*) and Shadab Khan (41) took them to 178/4.
In reply, New Zealand rode on contributions all the way through but were led by Mark Chapman's explosive 87* that took them over the line in just 18.2 overs. Naseem Shah in particular had a tough time, going for 44 runs in his three overs. This is the side's first loss since Babar Azam was re-appointed captain of the national team earlier this month.
Shaheen Afridi calls Mohammad Rizwan 'Bradman of T20 cricket'
The loss was made all the worse for Pakistan as it came against a team of third-string Kiwi players, as several of their regulars including the likes of Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Trent Boult are on IPL duty.
Many fans and experts slammed the Pakistan team for their approach with the bat, particularly senior players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for their low strike rates. However, a day after the game there were words of high praise for Rizwan from fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who called him the 'Bradman of T20 cricket'.
Cheers to Muhammad Rizwan - the Bradman of T20 cricket and Pakistan's SuperMan for hitting 3,000 T20I runs! 🏏🌟 Your impact has transformed the game and silenced the skeptics. Keep soaring, champion! You're an inspiration to many. @imrizwanpak 🌟💪 pic.twitter.com/JKnoxfEeUF
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) April 22, 2024
Rizwan is the eighth player to cross the 3000-run mark in T20I cricket, and the second Pakistani after Babar Azam to do so.
| Name | Team | Innings | Runs | High Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | India | 109 | 4037 | 122* |
| Rohit Sharma | India | 143 | 3974 | 121* |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 105 | 3749 | 122 |
| Martin Guptill | New Zealand | 118 | 3531 | 105 |
| Paul Stirling | Ireland | 136 | 3491 | 115 |
| Aaron Finch | Australia | 103 | 3120 | 172 |
| David Warner | Australia | 103 | 3099 | 100* |
| Mohammad Rizwan | Pakistan | 80 | 3048 | 104* |
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