PC: dnaindia
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan showcased his skills by scoring his third ODI century during Pakistan's second match of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 against Sri Lanka at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.
Rizwan's century is particularly significant as he became the second wicket-keeping batsman for Pakistan to achieve the feat in the ODI World Cup. The only other Pakistani wicketkeeper to achieve this feat was former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who achieved the feat against Ireland during the 2015 World Cup.
Rizwan played an important role in Pakistan's innings which chased the challenging target of 345 runs. He came to the crease when Pakistan was struggling at 37 for 2 after only 7.2 overs, having lost the wickets of opener Imam-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam. Rizwan took the responsibility of polishing his innings.
Rizwan made an important partnership of 176 runs with opener Abdullah Shafiq for the fourth wicket. This partnership is the second-highest partnership for Pakistan in the history of the ODI World Cup. Both Shafiq and Rizwan scored centuries during the match.
Shafiq scored his maiden ODI century on his World Cup debut and took 97 balls to do so. After reaching his century, Shafiq accelerated his scoring and hit a few fours before being dismissed by a brilliant diving catch executed by substitute fielder Dushan Hemantha.
Shafiq played a brilliant inning of 113 runs in 103 balls, which included 10 fours and three sixes. Subsequently, Rizwan continued to build another important partnership, this time with Saud Shakeel, completing his century in the 42nd over after facing 97 balls.
