Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan showcased his resilience and skill in a tense run chase on a challenging New York pitch against Canada. Pursuing a target of 107, Rizwan adopted a cautious approach, finishing unbeaten with 53 runs. He reached his half-century in the 17th over, having faced 52 balls, and thus set a new record for the slowest fifty in the T20 World Cup 2024 history.
Historic Achievement
The record for the slowest half-century was recently held by South Africa’s David Miller, who took 50 balls to reach the milestone against the Netherlands at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
Previous Record Holders
Prior to the current edition of the T20 World Cup, the record belonged to West Indies’ Devon Smith, who scored fifty from 49 balls against Bangladesh in the 2007 tournament. Similarly, Australia’s David Hussey matched this pace with his fifty from 49 balls against England in 2010.
Rizwan’s Milestones
This achievement marked Rizwan’s 30th fifty-plus score as an opener in T20 Internationals (T20Is) from 71 innings. He now shares this record with Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who also has 30 fifty-plus scores from 118 innings as an opener in T20Is.
Additionally, Rizwan equalled Babar Azam’s record for the most fifties by a Pakistani player in T20 World Cups, making this his fiftieth half-century in the prestigious tournament.
A Steady and Patient Knock
Rizwan’s calculated innings saw him hit his first boundary in the sixth over and his first six in the 16th over. He reached his fifty with a three-run shot on the last ball of the 17th over, celebrating in his characteristic fashion while skipper Babar Azam cheered from the dugout. Rizwan and Babar forged a vital 63-run partnership for the second wicket, solidifying Pakistan’s position in the match.
Rizwan’s Tournament Performance
In the match against India, Rizwan faced criticism for his dismissal by Jasprit Bumrah just before the slog overs, scoring 31 runs from 44 balls in a losing effort. In Pakistan’s tournament opener, he was dismissed for a single-digit score, adding to the pressure on him to perform in subsequent games.
Crucial Match Ahead
Looking ahead, Pakistan faces a must-win situation in their final group-stage match against Ireland. To advance in the tournament, they need the USA to lose their matches against both India and Ireland.
Mohammad Rizwan’s determined performance against Canada not only helped his team secure a crucial win but also etched his name in the record books. His ability to remain composed under pressure and deliver when it mattered most underscores his importance to the Pakistan cricket team. With another critical match on the horizon, Rizwan’s experience and steady hand will be key to Pakistan’s hopes of progressing further in the T20 World Cup.
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