Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan of Pakistan became the first Pakistani pair to reach a 1,000-run partnership.
The pair reached the milestone when they scored the 28th run in Pakistan’s ICC T20 World Cup match against New Zealand.
Since 2019, the pair have opened together in 17 T20I innings, amassing four-century partnerships, the most by any batting pair in the world.
Until now, only 11 batting pairs have amassed a 1,000-run partnership. Only two pairs have accumulated 1,000 or more runs since January 2019. Aside from Babar and Rizwan, the Irish duo of Kevin O Brian and Paul Stirling are the second pair to have 1,000-run partnerships.
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Haris Rauf stars as spirited Pakistan down New Zealand
Haris Rauf bowled an outstanding fast-bowling spell as Pakistan defeated New Zealand by five wickets in Tuesday’s International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup 2021 Group 2 match in Sharjah.
After being asked to bat first, the Black Caps got off to a good start, reaching 36 without loss.
However, it was a display of control and effectiveness from the Green Caps’ bowlers from then on, who not only kept things tight but also claimed timely wickets.
In their allotted 20 overs, the Black Caps managed only 134 for the loss of eight wickets. Opener Daryl Mitchell and left-hander Devon Conway finished the innings with scores of 27 off 20 and 24 balls, respectively.
Pakistan’s pacer Rauf was the star of the show, recording career-best figures of 4-22 in his four overs.
He was well supported by star fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Imad Wasim, who finished with figures of 1-22 and 1-24.
The Men-in-Green were off to a slow start while chasing a 135-run target to secure their second win, with captain Babar Azam returning to the pavilion after scoring just nine runs.
Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Hafeez could not contribute much to the total, as they returned to the pavilion after scoring 11 off 17 and six deliveries, respectively.
In the 12th over, leg-spinner Ish Sodhi removed in-form wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, putting the Green Caps under severe pressure. Trent Boult removed Imad Wasim in the 15th over for 87 runs, escalating the situation.
Shoaib Malik’s boundary in the 16th over off the bowling of Ish Sodhi, followed by two maximums off consecutive deliveries by Asif Ali in the 17th over off the bowling of Tim Southee, put the Men-in-Green ahead.
In the 18th over, Malik smashed left-arm spinner, Mitchell Santner, for a six and a four, turning the game completely in Pakistan’s favor.
When Asif smashed Trent Boult for a six in the 19th over, the deal was sealed.
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