In the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan stands on the brink of a significant milestone in his illustrious career. Rizwan, a pivotal figure in the Pakistani squad, is poised to surpass the record set by Virat Kohli and Babar Azam as the fastest player to reach 3,000 runs in T20I cricket.
Having debuted in T20Is back in 2015 against Bangladesh, Rizwan has accumulated 2,981 runs in 78 innings so far. Merely 19 runs shy of the coveted 3,000-run mark, the 31-year-old is set to rewrite the record books, eclipsing the achievements of Kohli and Babar, who reached the milestone in 81 innings each, against England in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Should Rizwan achieve this feat, he would join the elite club of Pakistani cricketers to breach the 3,000-run mark in T20Is, with Babar being the sole member currently boasting more runs for Pakistan with 3,698 to his name.
ALSO READ:Top 5 Best Bowlers in Cricket (2024): Masters of Craft and Control
As the anticipation builds, both teams are gearing up for the series, with New Zealand’s squad recently arriving in Islamabad while Pakistan’s team has convened after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. Notable absentees from New Zealand’s lineup include Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, and Kane Williamson due to their commitments in the Indian Premier League.
Meanwhile, Pakistan welcomes back Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who have reversed their retirement decisions, adding depth to the squad. Exciting prospects Irfan Khan and Usman Khan have also earned selection following their impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League.
With both sides ready to showcase their talents, the stage is set for an enthralling series, commencing with the first T20I on April 18th in Rawalpindi, followed by matches in the same venue on April 20th and 21st, before concluding with fixtures in Lahore on April 25th and 27th.
A venerable sports journalist boasting two decades of expertise. Renowned as a reliable authority in sports reporting, Khan’s meticulous approach shines through as he delves into the intricacies of NFL plays, dissects NHL strategies, unravels the finesse of soccer, and deciphers the tactics of basketball. With an unwavering commitment to storytelling, Khan invites you to join him in exploring the dynamic world of athletics, where his nuanced understanding of athletes, strategies, and narratives unfolds across the NFL, NHL, Football, Soccer, Basketball, and beyond.
