On Tuesday, October 10, during Game 9 of the World Cup 2023 against Sri Lanka, Mohammad Rizwan was at the top of his game, producing one of the best innings of his ODI career. In his innings, the wicketkeeper-batter scored an exhilarating 131* (121) while blasting eight fours and three sixes to assist his team chase down the highest World Cup target ever (345/4).
Mohammad Rizwan persevered through agonizing cramps throughout his innings in an effort to lead his team to victory. As he participated in a critical 176-run stand with Abdullah Shafique (113 off 103), his mental toughness enabled Pakistan to escape a grave position at 37/2.
The 31-year-old hit an outstanding shot against Dhananjaya de Silva in the 37th over of his innings while suffering from cramps in his feet. In order to hit De Silva over long-off for a six, Rizwan danced down the track. After hitting the ball, the right-handed hitter immediately collapsed, his face twisted in pain.
Everyone on the field was astonished by the shot as they cheered Mohammad Rizwan tenacity in leading his team to victory.
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The highest score by a Pakistani wicketkeeper in ODIs was made by Mohammad Rizwan.
In addition to making history with Pakistan, Rizwan scored the highest individual total ever by a Pakistani wicketkeeper-batter in an ODI, surpassing Kamran Akmal’s 124 against the West Indies in Brisbane in 2005. Interestingly, it was also the highest chase in ODIs against Sri Lanka.
By chasing down 345 in 48.2 overs, Pakistan broke Ireland’s ancient World Cup chase record of 328 against England in Bengaluru in 2011 and established a new mark for the biggest successful chase ever.
By scoring the fastest century by a Sri Lankan hitter in the ODI World Cup in just 65 balls earlier in the day, Kusal Mendis also wrote history. He went on to make 122 off 77 balls, and Sadeera Samarawickrama (108 off 99) provided solid assistance as the pair helped Sri Lanka reach 344/9 in their allotted 50 overs.
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