Haren
Mohammed Rizwan’s tenure as white-ball captain of Pakistan got off to a sound start with a ODI series win in Australia for the first time in 22 years. Heading into the third and final ODI on Sunday with the series locked 1-1, Pakistan’s pacers set-up a famous win, dismissing Australia for 140 as the batsmen completed the job with 23 overs to spare.
Having undergone some tough moments in the recent past in white-ball cricket, Rizwan said this series win was a special moment and said he is only a captain for the toss and presentation. “Special moment for me, the nation will be very happy today, we didn’t perform as per expectations in the last couple of years. I’m the captain only for the toss and presentations – everyone gives me suggestions on the field, the batting group and the bowling group,” said Rizwan at the post-match presentation.
In a series that was dominated by the bowlers, Sunday was no different as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah picked up three wickets each while Haris Rauf claimed two wickets. “All the credit to the bowlers, Australia in Australia isn’t easy, the conditions suit their style of playing, but the bowlers were outstanding. Also credit to the two openers, they made the chases easy. They (fans) don’t care a lot about the results, but the people back home are always behind us and I want to dedicate this victory to them,” he added.
Apart from entering the series with a new captain, Pakistan also had Jason Gillespie take charge of the white-ball squad after Gary Kirsten parted ways with the Pakistan Cricket Board. Having started as underdogs, Pakistan managed to spring a surprise.
Post the ODIs, the two teams will feature in a three-match T20Is beginning Thursday.
