Hyderabad: Pakistani wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan dedicated his team's record-breaking performance against Sri Lanka in the World Cup to the "brothers and sisters in Gaza."
Rizwan, showcasing outstanding form, scored an unbeaten century (131), while young talent Abdullah Shafique (113) notched his maiden ODI century.
The dynamic duo propelled Pakistan to a world-record chase of 345 runs on Tuesday in Hyderabad, securing a victory that etched their names in the cricketing annals. Rizwan and Shafique's partnership of 176 runs for the third wicket proved to be the cornerstone of Pakistan's triumph, with the team reaching the target in just 48.2 overs.
This remarkable feat surpassed the previous record held by Ireland, who successfully chased down 329 against England during the 2011 World Cup in India. Reflecting the significance of the win, Rizwan took to social media, expressing, “This was for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Happy to contribute to the win. Credits to the whole team and especially Abdullah Shafique and Hassan Ali for making it easier. Extremely grateful to the people of Hyderabad for the amazing hospitality and support throughout.”
With this victory, Pakistan now holds the second position in the points table, trailing just behind New Zealand. The team's next challenge is set against arch-rivals India in the league stage, scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14.
The victory not only marked a turning point in the tournament for Pakistan but also showcased solidarity with those affected by the Israel-Palestine conflict. The team's outstanding performance has elevated them in the points table, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash with India in Ahmedabad on October 14.