In a thrilling ODI World Cup warm-up match held in Hyderabad on a sunny Friday, Pakistan found themselves on the losing side as New Zealand clinched a remarkable five-wicket victory. This encounter not only set the stage for what promises to be an electrifying tournament but also witnessed some stellar performances that cricket enthusiasts won’t soon forget.
Mohammad Rizwan Heaps Praise On The Reception Of Hyderabad Crowd:
Pakistan’s Strong Start
Opting to bat first, Pakistan put up a formidable total of 345/5 on the scoreboard after 50 overs of gripping cricket. Mohammad Rizwan, in splendid form, emerged as the star of the Pakistani innings, smashing a remarkable century, with his bat orchestrating a symphony of boundaries and singles. Rizwan’s brilliant 103 runs formed the bedrock of Pakistan’s innings. Meanwhile, the young and dynamic skipper, Babar Azam, displayed his class by scoring a stylish 80 runs.
New Zealand’s Spectacular Chase
New Zealand, with a target of 346 runs to chase down, showcased their prowess with the bat as they accomplished this feat in just 43.4 overs. Rachin Ravindra, the left-handed sensation, played a spectacular innings of 97 runs, narrowly missing out on a century himself. His crisp strokes and impeccable timing had the opposition on the back foot. New Zealand’s skipper, Babar Azam, was not to be left behind, contributing a valuable half-century to the chase.
A Memorable Moment for Rizwan
Despite ending up on the losing side, this match will be etched in the memory of Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan. His century, achieved in a mere 93 balls, was a testament to his incredible skill and determination. After the match, Rizwan expressed his gratitude towards the warm reception they received from the people of Hyderabad.
“A hundred is a hundred, proud and happy of it. Scoring a century for Pakistan is always special. The Indian crowd gave us a lot of love at the airport itself, just like how our fans love us back in Pakistan. We were welcomed in India in a great way,” Rizwan said during the mid-innings.
Versatile Rizwan
Rizwan also shed light on his flexibility within the team, emphasizing his ability to adapt to different batting positions as per the team’s requirements. He mentioned, “In T20Is, I open for Pakistan, in Tests, I bat at 6-7, and in ODIs, I bat at number 4. I play according to the team requirements. Saud Shakeel is in great form, and he played a classy knock today. Hopefully, he turns out to be a great player in the ODI format as well. I and Babar try to rotate the strike; we bat similarly, our communication is good, and that helps us.”
The ODI World Cup warm-up match between Pakistan and New Zealand not only provided cricket fans with a thrilling contest but also showcased the talent and versatility of players like Mohammad Rizwan and Rachin Ravindra. As the tournament unfolds, these performances will serve as a reminder of the exciting cricket moments that await.
