Mohammad Rizwan has had quite the week, hitting two unbeaten half-centuries, one in Test cricket and one in T20 cricket, for two different teams on two different continents.
The wicketkeeper began the second Test against Sri Lanka preparing to carry drinks throughout the game, but was called into action as a concussion substitute when Sarfaraz Ahmed received a blow on the head while batting.
The 31-year-old made the most of his last-minute call-up, hitting 50 not out as Pakistan built a massive first-innings lead. He brought up his half-century early on the morning of day four, and by the end of the day, the match was over, Sri Lanka skittled for 188 by Noman Ali and Naseem Shah.
Rizwan, already signed up to play for Vancouver Knights in Global T20 Canada, hotfooted it to the airport and began the 14,000 kilometre journey to Brampton, via Toronto. Fresh off the plane, he came straight into the Vancouver Knights XI, claiming the catch that accounted for the first wicket to fall, that of Max O’Dowd for seven.
Brampton Wolves continued to stumble, finishing on 129-9, and Rizwan then walked out to open the batting. Having earned a reputation as one of the most consistent T20 batters in the world, Rizwan wasn’t likely to be daunted, and eased to an unbeaten, 42-ball 52 to seal victory.
“Rizwan seems like he’s superhuman,” Vancouver Knights captain Rassie van der Dussen is reported to have said after play. “Straight off the plane and into the match – he just got here before the game and ran straight onto the field. As a captain, to have a guy with his experience in the team is just brilliant.”
Watch the best of Mohammad Rizwan’s Global T20 Canada half-century below:
Trademark Rizwan innings, calm and collected in a run-chase 🔥#GT20Canada #GT20Season3 #GlobalT20 #CricketsNorth #BWvVK @iMRizwanPak pic.twitter.com/xl2CmcFrVp
— GT20 Canada (@GT20Canada) July 29, 2023
