by: Atika Mehboob TN Sports Pakistan:
Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s celebrated wicketkeeper-batter, continually garners admiration not only for his prowess on the field but also for his heartwarming actions off it.
During Friday’s Pakistan-Netherlands match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Rizwan once again captured netizens’ hearts. During a drinks break amid the Netherlands’ run-chase, the 31-year-old paused to offer his prayers on the field.
Soon after the match, which saw Pakistan clinching their first World Cup victory in India by defeating the Dutch by 81 runs, a clip of Rizwan’s quiet moment of reflection began circulating widely on the internet.
This isn’t the first time Rizwan’s devoutness has caught the attention of the online community. Earlier in the year, a clip of him praying on a New York sidewalk took the internet by storm. Similarly, during the T20 World Cup in 2021, a video showcasing the cricketer in a moment of prayer amidst the game became a talking point.
On the cricketing front, Pakistan’s recent victory marked a significant milestone. Babar Azam’s squad has etched their names in the annals of cricket by being the first Pakistani team to secure a World Cup victory on Indian territory. Despite participating in three previous World Cups held in India (1987, 1996, and 2011), a victory had eluded them until now.
The team’s next challenge is against Sri Lanka on October 10 at the same stadium. This will be followed by a highly anticipated clash with India on October 14 in Ahmedabad.