Rizwan closes in on Sarfaraz’s record
Right-hander scored a fifty in the third ODI against New Zealand
Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan is closing in on a record held by his fellow gloveman Sarfaraz Ahmed in ODI cricket.
Ahmed has the most 50-plus scores in international cricket for a Pakistani wicketkeeper with 41 against his name in 223 innings.
Meanwhile, Rizwan, after his fifty in the ongoing third ODI against New Zealand, now has 39 50-plus scores in 135 innings.
Kamran Akmal is third on the list with 38 50-plus scores in 275 innings.
Earlier, Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and opted to bat on Friday in the third ODI.
Pakistan have made two changes to their playing XI with Shan Masood and Mohammad Hasnain replacing Imam-ul-Haq and Naseem Shah.
Imam and Naseem are suffering from hamstring injury and fever, respectively.
Meanwhile, New Zealand are unchanged for the third ODI.
It must be noted that opener Devon Conway hit a sparkling hundred to help New Zealand achieve a convincing 79-run win over Pakistan in the second ODI in Karachi on Wednesday.
The left-hander scored 101 and captain Kane Williamson made 85 before a collapse which saw New Zealand lose nine wickets for 78 runs and restricted them to 261 all out in 49.5 overs.
Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and despite a fighting 79 from skipper Babar Azam, the home team were dismissed for 182 to leave the three-match series tied at 1-1.
Pakistan strolled to a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI on Monday after fast bowler Naseem took five wickets in Karachi.
The 19-year-old grabbed 5-57 for his second five-wicket haul in just four ODI appearances as New Zealand, sent in to bat, managed 255-9 in their 50 overs at the National Stadium.
Mohammad Rizwan (77 not out), skipper Babar Azam (66) and Fakhar Zaman (56) then helped Pakistan cruise to victory with 11 balls to spare.
Lineups
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee and Lockie Ferguson.
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Shan Masood, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Haris Sohail, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Hasnain and Haris Rauf.
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