Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, credited the team’s historic six-wicket win over South Africa in the Tri-Nation ODI Series to divine help, stating, “Records are made with Allah’s help.”
Team Strategy and Performance
Speaking at the post-match press conference in Karachi, Rizwan highlighted the team’s resilience and strategic planning during the match.
“Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman gave us a great start, but as wickets fell, we had to regroup and plan carefully,” he said. Rizwan explained that the team adopted a five-over plan, which proved to be effective in chasing South Africa’s challenging total.
He revealed, “I wasn’t even looking at the screen until the 18th over; we had a clear plan, and it worked perfectly.”
Praise for Babar Azam
Rizwan spoke highly of Babar Azam, acknowledging the immense expectations placed on him. “Like the nation, I always expect Babar to score big runs. There is pressure on him, but I am hopeful that he will soon deliver a big score,” Rizwan added.
He also discussed the decision to send Babar to open the innings, emphasizing, “Babar is a very composed player, and that’s why we decided he should open.”
Impact of Saim Ayub’s Absence
Rizwan lamented the absence of Saim Ayub, calling it a significant loss for the team. “Not having Saim Ayub is a big loss for us. His absence has made a noticeable difference,” he said.
Cultural Challenges and Consistency
Reflecting on Pakistan’s cricket culture, Rizwan admitted the team struggles with consistency. “In our culture, inconsistency is part of the game. We never know what will happen tomorrow. We play against Zimbabwe the same way we play against Australia,” Rizwan remarked.
Match Highlights
The match saw exceptional performances from Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Rizwan, both scoring centuries to guide Pakistan to their highest-ever chase in ODIs. Their partnership secured a spot in the Tri-Nation ODI Series Final at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
