Mohammad Rizwan bags unwanted T20 World Cup record

NEW YORK: Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan set an unwanted record during his side’s seven-wicket victory over Canada during the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 here on Tuesday.

Set to chase 107, Pakistan amassed the total for the loss of three wickets and 15 balls to spare, courtesy of an anchoring half-century by Rizwan.

The right-handed batter scored an unbeaten 53 off as many deliveries, hitting three boundaries and a six. This was the first half-century by any batter from Pakistan in the ongoing tournament.

However, Rizwan took 52 balls to reach his half-century, which is the slowest in the history of the T20 World Cup.

The record was previously held by South Africa’s David Miller who scored a half-century in 50 balls against the Netherlands recently at the same venue.

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Rizwan opened the innings for Pakistan with Saim Ayub (6), however, they failed to give the Green Shirts a decent start as the latter perished in the fifth over with just 20 runs on the board.

Skipper Babar Azam then joined Rizwan in the middle and the duo anchored the run chase with a gutsy partnership. They added 63 runs for the second wicket before Babar fell prey to Dilon Heyliger in the 15th over.

He scored a run-a-ball 33 with the help of one boundary and a six.

Mohammad Rizwan partnered briefly with Fakhar Zaman, who scored just four and perished on the second delivery of the 18th over with just three more required.

Usman Khan then hit the winning runs for Pakistan when he guided one towards the midwicket region for a couple.

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