Pakistan batsman Mohammad Rizwan emerged as the hero in a thrilling 2nd T20I match against Ireland, guiding his team to a crucial victory and a 1-1 series tie. But in a surprising turn of events, Rizwan name-dropped Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli during the post-match presentation, crediting him as a source of inspiration.
Pakistan clinch dramatic win vs Ireland
Chasing a mammoth 194-run target set by Ireland, Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position at 13/2. However, a magnificent 140-run partnership between Rizwan (75* off 46) and Fakhar Zaman (78 off 40) turned the tide in their favor.
A late cameo from Azam Khan (30* off 10) sealed the win for Pakistan in just 16.5 overs.
Rizwan’s redemption song
Mohammad Rizwan, who initially struggled with his timing, was gifted a lifeline when two crucial catches were dropped by the Irish wicket-keeper. This shift in momentum allowed him and Zaman to unleash their aggressive batting, completely dismantling Ireland’s bowling attack.
Respecting Virat Kohli influence: Mohammad Rizwan
During the post-match presentation, Rizwan acknowledged the pressure of playing after a loss and downplayed the significance of personal batting averages.
However, in an unexpected turn, he spoke about Virat Kohli, stating, “About Kohli, he is a good player and we learnt a lot from him, I respect him.” This public recognition of Kohli’s influence on his batting was a surprising yet heartwarming moment.
More on Kohli:
What exactly Rizwan said on Kohli?
Mohammad Rizwan, Player of the Match in the post-match presentation, said: “If you look at the whole match, they played really well. So have to credit them guys. Chasing 194 is not easy as Ireland know the conditions and they gave difficult time early on but we decide to attack and this is why we were successful.”
“You always feel pressure when we lose. I don’t look at my numbers, if you look at the average, you are an average player. If you look at the match situation and the conditions then it’s better.”
On him and Virat Kohli being the only two to average 50+ in T20Is, Mohammad Rizwan added: “About Kohli, he is a good player and we learnt a lot from him, I respect him.”
Pakistan eye Ireland series Win
With the series tied 1-1, the final T20I will be a decider. Pakistan will be brimming with confidence after their comeback victory, while Ireland will be determined to bounce back and clinch the series win on home soil.
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