Mohammad Rizwan explains reason behind his good batting partnership with Babar Azam in World Cup warm-up game against New Zealand

Pakistan and New Zealand clashed against each other in the 3rd warm-up match of the ODI World Cup 2023 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday, September 29. Both displayed a brilliant batting performance, however, the Blackcaps proved to be a better side as they chased a monumental target of 346 runs.

Before talking about the match more, let’s take a look at the comments made by Pakistan star wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwanl. The right-handed batter had a great partnership with skipper Babar Azam and revealed the reason behind their mutual understanding. Rizwan tried to explain his partnership with Babar in a scientific way and said that their chemistry and physics are the same.

“A hundred is a hundred, proud and happy of it. Scoring a century for Pakistan is always special. The Indian crowd gave us a lot of love at the airport itself, just like how our fans love us back in Pakistan. We were welcomed in India in a great way. In T20Is I open for Pakistan, in Tests I bat at 6-7 and in ODIs I bat at number 4, I play according to the team requirements. 

Saud Shakeel is in great form and he played a classy knock today. Hopefully, he turns out to be a great player in the ODI format as well. I and Babar try to rotate the strike, we bat similarly, our communication is good and that helps us. Our Chemistry is same, physics is same.” Rizwan said after the first innings.

Brilliant batting performance by New Zealand

Talking about the match, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first. With the help of brilliant contributions from the middle-order batter and a magnificent century from Rizwan, the Men in Green posted a monumental total of 345 runs in the first innings on the loss of just 5 wickets.

Babar and Rizwan stitched a 114-run stand for the 3rd wicket. The skipper departed after scoring 80 runs while Rizwan retired out on 103 runs. Chasing the target, New Zealand suffered an early setback with Devon Conway getting out on a golden duck. But then it was all about the Kiwi batters Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson who set the foundation for a successful chase with a massive 179-run stand for the 2nd wicket.

Ravindra missed his well-deserved century by just 3 runs. Williamson and Daryl Mitchell smashed their half-centuries and retired hurt. In the end, Mark Champam displayed some aerial shots and secured an early chase with 6.2 overs remaining.