Cricket

Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan Equals Rohit Sharma's Record, Sets Unwanted Mark in T20 World CupPakistan's Mohammad Rizwan has etched his name alongside India's Rohit Sharma in the annals of T20 international cricket. During Pakistan's emphatic seven-wicket victory over Canada in the T20 World Cup, Rizwan equaled Sharma's remarkable record of most half-centuries as an opener in the format.Rizwan's 50-run knock in just 71 innings propelled him to the milestone, matching Sharma's tally of 30 fifties. However, Rizwan achieved this feat in significantly fewer innings than Sharma, who required 118 innings to reach the same landmark.While Rizwan's achievement is a testament to his consistent brilliance, he also inadvertently set an unwanted record in the T20 World Cup. His 52-ball half-century against Canada became the slowest fifty (by balls faced) in the tournament's history.South Africa's David Miller previously held the record for the slowest fifty in the T20 World Cup, having scored a 50-ball half-century against the Netherlands earlier this year.Despite the slow pace of his innings, Rizwan's contribution was crucial in Pakistan's victory. His opening partnership with Babar Azam laid the foundation for a comfortable chase, with Azam scoring a blistering 53 off just 38 deliveries.Pakistan's captain Babar Azam remains third on the list of most half-centuries as an opener in T20Is, with 28 to his name. Australia's David Warner, with 27 half-centuries in 98 innings, rounds out the top four.Rizwan's record-equaling performance and unwanted milestone highlight his status as one of the most prolific batters in T20 cricket. As Pakistan continues its T20 World Cup campaign, Rizwan will be looking to add to his tally of half-centuries and help his team achieve success on the global stage.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup Super 8 hopes suffered a major setback after their disappointing loss to arch-rivals India in New York. Despite restricting India to a modest total of 119, Pakistan's batting lineup faltered, falling short by six runs.Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja expressed his frustration over Pakistan's inability to chase down the small target. He believes India's poor batting performance inadvertently benefited Pakistan by preventing them from reaching a more challenging total.Raja criticized wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan for his reckless shot selection at a crucial moment. With Pakistan in control of the chase, Rizwan attempted a risky pull shot over midwicket, resulting in his dismissal.Raja emphasized the importance of temperament in such situations, stating that Pakistan only needed a solid partnership to secure victory. He believes Rizwan's unnecessary shot-making cost Pakistan the match.Pakistan now face a must-win scenario in their upcoming game against Ireland. A defeat would eliminate them from the group stage, while India needs a win against USA to advance to the next round.

Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam expressed relief after their first victory in the T20 World Cup, acknowledging the challenging pitch conditions that hindered their chase of 107 runs. Having suffered consecutive defeats against USA and India, the match against Canada was crucial for Pakistan's hopes of advancing in the tournament.Chasing a modest target, Pakistan relied on Mohammad Rizwan's unbeaten 53 and Babar's 33 to secure the win in 17.3 overs. "It's good for us, we needed this win," Babar said at the post-match presentation. "We started well with the bowling, in the first six overs we knew we had to be up to the mark."Babar admitted that they had aimed to surpass USA's net run rate by completing the chase before 14 overs, but the pitch made it difficult. "It was in our mind to win before 14 overs, but the pitch made it difficult," he explained.India currently leads Group A with two wins, followed by USA with the same number of victories. Pakistan has climbed to third place with two points from three games, ahead of Canada and Ireland.Canada's captain, Saad Bin Zafar, expressed disappointment with the result, citing the challenging batting conditions. "Definitely, it was a bit disappointing," he said. "We wanted to play a positive brand of cricket, but I think the wicket was not very helpful. It was difficult to bat early on - not a good toss to lose. We were about 25 to 30 runs short."

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign has hit a major roadblock after two consecutive losses, prompting head coach Gary Kirsten to issue a stern warning to his players. Kirsten emphasized the need for improvement, stating that players risk being left behind if they fail to adapt to the evolving demands of the game.The team's struggles were evident in their recent defeat to India, where they failed to chase a modest target of 120. Kirsten acknowledged the pressure on the players but stressed that they must take responsibility for their performances. He pointed out that many of the players have extensive T20 experience and need to find ways to enhance their game.Kirsten's concerns extend to the team's batting approach, particularly the lack of intent and strike rate from openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. He expressed concerns about the team's ability to construct and structure their innings effectively.The bowling unit, while generally performing well, has been affected by the decline in Shadab Khan's legspin. Kirsten acknowledged the need for time to assess the situation but emphasized that players must continue to develop and adapt to the changing demands of the format.Former captain Wasim Akram called for a clear-out of the current team, suggesting that six to seven players be replaced. He criticized the team's performance and questioned their ability to progress to the Super 8s. Shahid Afridi also expressed disappointment, calling for changes to the batting lineup and the inclusion of Salman Ali Agha and Abrar Ahmed.Despite the setbacks, Kirsten and Afridi both emphasized that Pakistan is not out of the tournament yet. They urged the team to make tough decisions and find ways to improve their performances.

India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024: Siraj's Aggressive Throw Hits Rizwan, Sparks ControversyThe highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan witnessed a heated incident on Sunday when Mohammed Siraj's aggressive throw hit Mohammad Rizwan on his hand.During the seventh over of Pakistan's innings, Rizwan played the ball directly back to Siraj, who went for a throw towards the stumps, believing the batter was out of his crease. However, the ball struck Rizwan's hand and deflected to fine leg, allowing Pakistan batters to complete a run.Siraj immediately apologized to Rizwan for the incident, which was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media. The incident sparked controversy, with some criticizing Siraj for his aggressive throw while others defended his actions as part of the competitive nature of the game.Despite the incident, India emerged victorious in the match, defeating Pakistan by 6 runs. The Indian bowlers produced a disciplined performance, restricting Pakistan to 113 runs in their chase of India's 119. Jasprit Bumrah was the standout performer for India, taking 3 wickets for 15 runs.After the match, Bumrah expressed his satisfaction with India's performance, saying, "We felt we were a little under and the wicket got a little better after the sun came out. We were really disciplined so it feels good."The incident between Siraj and Rizwan highlighted the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan, which extends beyond the cricket field. The two nations have a long history of political and military conflict, and their cricket matches often carry a heightened sense of emotion and significance.

Pakistan, the 2009 T20 World Cup champions, are poised to make a strong run in the upcoming tournament in the United States. Despite a recent 0-2 series loss to England, the unpredictable Pakistani squad, led by Babar Azam, remains a formidable force.In a video released by the official broadcaster, key players expressed their excitement and determination to rectify the mistakes made in the previous edition, where they finished as runners-up to England.Babar Azam, the skipper, emphasized the team's thorough preparation and the unique excitement of playing in a major event. Shaheen Shah Afridi, the pace spearhead, acknowledged the novelty of the tournament's location in the US, expressing hope for a successful campaign.Mohammad Rizwan, the keeper-batter, recalled the team's disappointment in the previous final and their resolve to learn from their past mistakes. Naseem Shah, another pacer, highlighted the team's excitement for the new conditions and their desire to hold the trophy aloft.Azam Khan, the keeper-batter, expressed his joy at participating in his first World Cup and the unexpected opportunity to play in the United States.Pakistan's opening match against the US in Dallas on Thursday will set the tone for their tournament. However, their highly anticipated clash against archrivals India in New York on Sunday looms large, promising a thrilling encounter between two cricketing powerhouses.

Pakistan's historic victory over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup marked a significant turning point for the team. Prior to that triumph, Pakistan had never defeated India in a World Cup match, either in the 50-over or T20 format.Mohammad Rizwan, a key member of the victorious Pakistan squad, recently shared his insights into the impact of that win. He recalled how former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Ramiz Raja instilled a belief in the team that they could overcome their Indian rivals."He had started developing this thought in the team from right then," Rizwan said. "As we got closer to the World Cup, he said, regardless of whether you win the trophy or not, just don't lose to India."Rizwan also revealed the message from then-coach Matthew Hayden ahead of the high-profile clash. "He put his arms around me and the captain and asked how we are feeling. The captain said that we have worked hard and now we leave it all in the hands of God."The victory had a profound impact on the Pakistani players and the nation as a whole. Rizwan described how people refused to let him and his teammates pay for goods and services, expressing their gratitude for the team's achievement."In Pakistan, say I go for shopping somewhere, people won't take money. Then I stopped going out for shopping because they just weren't taking money from us, they were all commending us for beating India. Everyone I met was commending us for the win."The India-Pakistan rivalry is one of the most intense in world cricket, and the 2021 T20 World Cup match was no exception. Rizwan acknowledged the pressure that comes with playing in such a high-stakes encounter."India vs Pakistan always comes with pressure. People may not watch all matches in a tournament but this is a game everyone sits down to watch, regardless of which country they belong to."Pakistan and India are set to face off again in the 2024 T20 World Cup on June 9. The match promises to be another thrilling chapter in the storied rivalry between these two cricketing giants.

Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has faced criticism for his poor performance in the recent T20I series against England. Despite his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad, his form and fitness have raised concerns among fans and experts.Khan scored only 11 runs in two matches and dropped several catches, leading to questions about his selection. Former selectors have suggested that he is out of shape for international cricket.However, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has defended Khan, urging fans to support the team's selections. He emphasized the need to back players who have been chosen for the World Cup.During the fourth T20I, Khan appeared visibly dejected after dropping catches. Babar consoled him, a gesture that has been praised on social media.Khan's struggles are not isolated. Captain Babar and star batter Mohammad Rizwan have also faced scrutiny for their low strike rates.Pakistan faces a challenging task in the T20 World Cup, placed in Group A alongside India, Canada, USA, and Ireland. They will open their campaign against USA on June 6, followed by the highly anticipated clash with India on June 9.The Pakistan squad for the T20 World Cup includes:* Babar Azam (c)* Abrar Ahmed* Azam Khan* Fakhar Zaman* Haris Rauf* Iftikhar Ahmed* Imad Wasim* Mohammad Abbas Afridi* Mohammad Amir* Mohammad Rizwan* Naseem Shah* Saim Ayub* Shadab Khan* Shaheen Shah Afridi* Usman KhanPakistan will need to improve their performances significantly to advance from their group and make a deep run in the tournament.

Pakistan's cricket team faces a crucial test as they prepare for the ICC T20 World Cup, beginning on June 1. After a disappointing loss to England in the 2022 final, Pakistan has struggled to find consistency, winning only one of their six bilateral T20I series since then.Form and Talking Points:Pakistan's recent performances have raised concerns about their form and approach. The team's batting has been heavily reliant on captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who have often played with conservative strike rates. The team's middle order has also struggled to contribute consistently.On the bowling front, Pakistan's pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf has been impressive, but the team has lacked depth in their spin department. The return of Imad Wasim and pacer Mohammad Amir from retirement could provide some much-needed experience and variety.Key Performers:Despite their recent struggles, Pakistan boasts several talented players who could make a significant impact at the World Cup. Babar Azam remains one of the world's best batters, while Rizwan is a reliable wicketkeeper and opener. Fakhar Zaman has shown glimpses of his destructive potential, and Shaheen Afridi is a world-class fast bowler.Squad:Pakistan's squad for the World Cup includes:* Babar Azam (c)* Abrar Ahmed* Azam Khan* Fakhar Zaman* Haris Rauf* Iftikhar Ahmed* Imad Wasim* Mohammad Abbas Afridi* Mohammad Amir* Mohammad Rizwan* Naseem Shah* Saim Ayub* Shadab Khan* Shaheen Shah Afridi* Usman KhanOutlook:Pakistan's chances at the World Cup will depend on their ability to find consistency and improve their strike rate in batting. The team's bowling attack is strong, but they will need to find a reliable spin option to complement their pace trio. With a talented squad and a history of success in major tournaments, Pakistan remains a contender for the title.