Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan dedicated his ton and the team’s recent win over Sri Lanka in Hyderabad in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 to “brothers and sisters in Gaza”. Pakistan recorded the highest chase in a World Cup game during their victory.
Centuries from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama helped Sri Lanka post 344/9 in 50 overs after Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to bat first. Hassan Ali for Pakistan took 4/71.
Facing a tough chase, Pakistan lost Imam Ul Haq for 12 and captain Babar Azam for 10 runs. But then Abdullah Shafique (113) and Mohammad Rizwan (131*) hit their career-best scores and added 176 runs for the third wicket.
Rizwan carried on and with Saud Shakeel (31) and Iftikhar Ahmed (22*) took Pakistan home with 6 wickets in hand and 10 balls to spare.
A day after the victory, Mohammad Rizwan dedicated his side's victory against Sri Lanka and his century to the people of Gaza, amid the ongoing fight between Hamas terrorists and Israel.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Rizwan said: “This was for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Happy to contribute in 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," he added thanking Hyderabad for their love.
After the win, Rizwan also compared the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, the venue for the match to his hometown ground of Rawalpindi.
“I felt like I was playing in front of the Rawalpindi crowd; our ground in Lahore is big, and a lot of people come there. This ground felt like Rawalpindi. The way the crowd showed love today, and not just for me but for the whole Pakistan team, and they even supported Sri Lanka. I am happy that the crowd in Hyderabad has supported cricket, both Sri Lanka and us. I had a lot of fun with them, “he added.
