Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has blamed the culture of Pakistan for the team’s “unpredictable” cricketing record. Rizwan, leading a successful chase of 353 in just 49 overs, with him batting through to score an unbeaten 122, along with vice-captain Salman Ali Agha’s inaugural century of 134, reversed a situation that had seen Pakistan lose two wickets and tackle themselves at 91/3. Rizwan and Agha put on another 260, setting the second-highest stand for the 4th wicket, as Pakistan lifted an easiliesht one toward the end.
In explaining the reasons for the unpredictable nature of the Pakistan cricket team, Rizwan blamed the culture of Pakistan for it.
“The answer to this is long because the unpredictability factor is maily coming from our culture. It’s been so. Our children neither know what in life to do or when not to do it. So open up our cricket, Australia, Zimbabwe, even today, this has always remained unpredictable. The occasions of winning a game are just one-sided. We have been there with our efforts, but it is not the fault of our cricket as such, but our culture has always been this way. Even if one looks at the future of kids, it can be unpredictable,” Rizwan said during the post-match press conference.
Rizwan attributed the team’s success against South African teams to divine intervention weaving in concert with strategy.
“When God helps, you can break any kind of record. We gave it our all. We were trying to restrict them below 320 but they crossed 350 thanks to Klaasen. As we went back, Khushdil said, ‘we have chased 350 before’, while someone mentioned a chase of 340 against another team. Agha and I just kept setting ourselves goals for five overs at a time. A couple of times we failed but, for the most part, we achieved it. Fielding still needs improvement. Let’s hope we can work on that, as champion teams do,” Rizwan said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“When we were going back after the first innings, Khushdil said we had chased 350 before, so those were inspiring words.
Rizwan and Agha’s 260-run partnership was highest for the 4th wicket in ODIs for Pakistan, breaking the record of 206 between Mohammad Yousuf and Shoaib Malik.
Pakistan will now take on New Zealand in the final on Friday, hoping to avenge their defeat in the opening match of the tournament.
