Pakistan’s Search For a Wicket-Keeper Batsman Ends!
Muhammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 104 off 64 balls and steered Pakistan to a strong position after Pakistan lost star batsman Babar Azam in the first over
After a crunch match, Pakistan defeated South Africa in the first T20I at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore by only three runs after a blistering knock by Muhammad Rizwan indicating Pakistan’s search for a reliable wicket-keeper batsman ends.
Muhammad Rizwan remained unbeaten on 104 off 64 balls and steered Pakistan in a strong position after Pakistan lost star batsman Babar Azam in the first over.
What a knock!
Dil khush ker dia. #MuhammadRizwan #PAKvRSA pic.twitter.com/rj87XhWALp— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) February 11, 2021
Whereas, the rest of Pakistan’s batting line made 59 runs with Haider Ali remaining the second top scorer for the host. Pakistan managed to put 169 runs on the board after losing 6 wickets.
However, the visitors fell short of only three runs while chasing as the game went down to the last ball but finished on 166 against losing 6 wickets.
Rezza Handricks remained the highest scorer from the South African side as he made 54 off 42 balls while Janneman Malan scored 44 runs off 29 balls.
Well played, #Pakistan – many congratulations on another stellar win!
Look forward to seeing you continue the winning streak to clinch the series. All the very best 🇵🇰@babarazam258 And boys up and forward ! #SAvPAK
— Farhan Saeed (@farhan_saeed) February 11, 2021
Usman Qadir and Haris Rauf were the highest wicket-takers from the Pakistani side as they both took 2 wickets each. The wicket-keeper batsman bagged the man of the match award as well.
Watching Usman Qadir bowl so superbly and win a T 20 game for Pakistan is yet another reminder that I am getting old.. his father the great Abdul Qadir bowled me once for 1 !. Guess leg spin skills run in the Qadir family unlike batting talent in mine!😄
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 11, 2021
Muhammad Rizwan became the second Pakistan to score a ton in all three formats including T20I, One Day International (ODI), and Tests. Muhammad Rizwan is also the only second wicket-keeper batsman to do so after New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum.
It was Rizwan’s second consecutive score of more than 80 runs in T20Is.
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Back-to-back performances by Muhammad Rizwan against South Africa in tests and T20I have certainly elicited hope for Pakistan which has long-awaited a reliable wicket-keeper batsman.
Pakistan leads the 3-match series 1-0.
