Pak vs NZ: Mohammad Rizwan becomes leading six-hitter in second T20I
Rizwan has now 77 sixes to his name for Pakistan in the shortest format of the game
January 14, 2024
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan on Sunday achieved a T20I milestone during the second match against New Zealand at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
The 31-year-old cricketer became the leading six-hitter and has now 77 sixes to his name for Pakistan in the T20I.
The wicket-keeper batsman overtook fellow Mohammad Hafeez who is second on the list with 76 sixes.
Most sixes for Pakistan in T20I cricket
- Mohammad Rizwan — 77
- Mohammad Hafeez — 76
- Shahid Afridi — 73
- Shoaib Malik — 69
- Babar Azam — 55
- Umar Akmal — 55
It must be noted that Pakistan are currently playing against New Zealand in the second T20I of the five-match series.
Rizwan started Pakistan’s chase of 195 runs brilliantly by hitting a six to Tim Southee but he was removed by Adam Milne in the second over for just seven runs.
Star batter Babar Azam once again, just like the first match, top scored for the Men in Green by posting 66 runs off 43 runs on the scorecard, with the help of nine boundaries but his effort went in vain as the visitors struggled in the chase of the 195-run target.
New Zealand inched closer to winning the series as the national side fell short of 21 runs to win the game.
The from the start as they lost both of their openers, Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub, within the first overs for just 10 runs.
Earlier in the first innings, Finn Allen powered New Zealand to a 194-run total as the right-hander played a rapid innings of 74 runs on just 41 balls, courtesy of seven fours and five sixes.
Thanks to Allen’s brilliant start, the home side looked all set to score a big total but things started to fall apart as soon as he was removed by Usama Mir’s googly in the 13th over.
The home side was 137-2 in 13 overs when Allen walked back to the pavilion, but after his departure, they only managed to score 57 runs in the remaining seven overs.
Pakistani bowlers made an excellent comeback in the match and managed to restrict the in-form Kiwis to 194 runs, a total they can chase down.
Haris Rauf took three wickets in the 19th over and became Pakistan’s top wicket-taker of the match. All of the visitors’ bowlers, except skipper Shaheen Afridi, picked up wickets.
